Uganda Prisons crowned best overall exhibitor at 32nd national agricultural show

The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has been crowned the Best Overall Winner at the 32nd National Agricultural Show in Jinja City, earning national recognition for its excellence in agricultural production, innovation and skills development.

In addition to the overall title, UPS received awards for Best Livestock Demonstration Institution, Best Innovative Institution and Best Farmer Field School, underscoring its growing role in advancing modern agriculture and supporting Uganda’s food security agenda.

The awards were presented by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Desire Muhooza, who applauded the Service for demonstrating how institutional farming can drive productivity, innovation and community transformation.

Speaking during the awards ceremony, Muhooza commended Uganda Prisons for promoting modern farming technologies and contributing significantly to national agricultural development.

During her tour of the Uganda Prisons exhibition centre, the minister praised the Service’s Innovation Village, which showcases practical farming models designed to improve household incomes.

The exhibition demonstrated how the Parish Development Model (PDM) allocation of Shs1 million can be invested in integrated crop and livestock enterprises to generate sustainable incomes for rural households.

According to officials, the Innovation Village provides practical lessons on maximizing small investments through efficient agricultural production, value addition and enterprise diversification.

Visitors to the Uganda Prisons exhibition were taken through a wide range of agricultural enterprises, including livestock breeding, commercial crop production, irrigation technologies, environmental conservation and agro-processing.

The Service also showcased value addition initiatives aimed at increasing the market value of agricultural products while creating employment opportunities and boosting farmers’ earnings.

Officials said the exhibition reflects Uganda Prisons’ commitment to using agriculture not only as a correctional rehabilitation tool but also as a vehicle for promoting food security, skills development and economic empowerment.

The recognition comes as Uganda continues to prioritize agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, industrialisation and household income improvement under the Parish Development Model and other government programmes.

The 32nd National Agricultural Show, currently underway in Jinja City, has brought together government agencies, research institutions, private companies and farmers to showcase innovations and technologies intended to modernise Uganda’s agriculture sector.

Uganda Prisons’ performance at this year’s show reinforces its position as one of the country’s leading institutions in agricultural innovation, demonstrating how strategic investment in modern farming can enhance productivity and contribute to national development.