KAMPALA, Uganda — State House has confirmed the appointment of Dr. Hillary Emmanuel Musoke Kisanja as Senior Presidential Advisor on Agribusiness. This development was first reported by UG Standard in October 2024, revealing President Yoweri Museveni’s decision to appoint Dr. Kisanja to the role.
“Congratulations, Dr. Hillary Emmanuel Musoke, upon your appointment as Senior Presidential Advisor, Agribusiness,” President Museveni’s Press Secretary, Faruk Kirunda, wrote on X. “You are hardworking, versatile, vibrant and good-natured, and well suited for the role in a sector central to Uganda’s Socioeconomic transformation. Best wishes in your service, Comrade! FK”
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Dr. Kisanja now joins the ranks of influential advisors, including General Salim Saleh, General Proscovia Nalweyiso, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and others, who play critical roles in shaping the country’s policies.
Dr. Kisanja brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as Private Secretary to the President, overseeing youth affairs, agriculture, value addition, innovation, and export promotion in the State House.
As an advocate of Pan-Africanism, patriotism, youth empowerment, social, economic development, and entrepreneurship programs, Dr. Kisanja has a strong track record of promoting sustainable agriculture and economic growth.
He is the founder and chairman of the Uganda Youth Innovation Centre and Export Market. Dr. Kisanja’s leadership career spans various roles, including National Youth Leader in the Uganda Youth Platform, a non-partisan group focused on youth and women’s social and economic empowerment.
He also serves as Deputy to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, a critical docket in State House.
In his new role, Dr. Kisanja will advise the President on agribusiness matters, develop and implement policies to promote agribusiness growth, and collaborate with government agencies and stakeholders.
Agribusiness plays a vital role in Uganda’s economy, providing food, fiber, and biofuels, and supporting rural development and employment. However, the sector faces challenges, including limited access to finance, poor infrastructure, low productivity, market fluctuations, climate change, and limited value addition.
To address these challenges, Dr. Kisanja will support farmers in transitioning from micro and macro-farming, deal with counterfeit threats, and support market linkages. He will also support startups in value addition and cottage industries, advocate for low-cost finance, invest in storage facilities, promote technology adoption, and enhance productivity.
Several initiatives will support youth in agribusiness, including agricultural training programs, youth-led agribusiness incubators, mentorship programs, access to finance initiatives, digital agriculture platforms, youth-focused agricultural policies, education programs, and youth agribusiness competitions and awards.
Experts believe agribusinesses can improve youth retention rates by offering competitive benefits, providing opportunities for growth and development, creating a positive work environment, promoting work-life balance, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, developing mentorship programs, and offering flexible work arrangements.
Dr. Kisanja has addressed various topics, including social-economic transformation, national governance, mindset change, and Uganda’s industrialization policies. He has presented at local and international forums in countries such as the USA, Germany, Turkey, Lebanon, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, and the United Kingdom.
Dr. Kisanja also serves as National Chairman of the Uganda Sustainable Agricultural Support Organization, promoting sustainable agriculture for improved livelihoods in Uganda. Additionally, he coordinates SMEs focused on creating Uganda’s social-economic transformation through job creation and industrialization.
Currently, Dr. Kisanja is a lecturer at Nkumba University, Victoria University, and Vice Chancellor of ESLASCA International Business School. He is also the Head of the Special Duties office to President Museveni, responsible for mobilizing ghetto youth, skilling the girl and boy child initiative, artisans, informal sector including taxi operators, boda-bodas, markets, and fishing communities. He also handles other presidential special assignments.
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