Given the overwhelming food safety concerns in Kampala metropolitan area, CONSENT
sought partnership with Buganda Kingdom through Buganda Cultural and Development
Foundation (BUCADEF) primarily to address the raised concerns through mass awareness
creation, capacity building, research and advocacy on food quality and safety in the kingdom’s
jurisdiction.
The nurtured partnership discussions between CONSENT and BUCADEF resulted into a
strategic meeting that comprised of the Buganda Kingdom Ministers, chiefs, Agricultural
Extension Workers, and other kingdom’s technical staff. The meeting was held on the 22nd
March 2024 at Bulange Mengo (Buganda Kingdom headquarters).
From the numerous presentations and discussions made at the strategic meeting, the
stakeholders resolved that there should be a wider and concreate strategy to reach out to the
masses with information on food quality and safety leveraging on awareness creation and
empowerment programs. The stakeholders further resolved that more partnerships need to be
embraced so as to facilitate the enormous process of boosting the safety of the people. The
stakeholders later endorsed "The Bulange Partnership Declaration on Food Safety,
Sustainable Agri-food Systems, and Consumer Protection Agenda."
Among the commitments and resolutions unanimously passed by the stakeholders at the
strategic meeting was for REXBA to collaborate with CONSENT to empower consumers and
traders in all the 9 markets of the Kabaka on optimal food handling practices and food safety.
Furthermore, it was agreed that CONSENT’s collaboration with REXBA would also
extensively focus on aspects of market waste management, proper food storage, market order,
market infrastructural development and market governance. This will be through direct
engagement with consumers, vendors, management, and farmers.
In order to operationalize and revamp the REXBA-CONSENT collaboration as described
above, the two entities held a partnership meeting in January 2025 at the REXBA offices in
Kampala. The meeting was primarily convened to identify potential areas of synergy and
collaboration within the nine markets of the Kabaka. This meeting was attended by the senior
management team of REXBA including the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director
and the Markets’ manager. The CONSENT’s team was represented by the Chief Executive
Officer, Head of Programs, Communication and Engagement officer and the Research and
knowledge Management Officer. Furthermore, the meeting was witnessed by a senior official
from BUCADEF.
The meeting identified inadequate food safety awareness and capacity building of traders, and
consumers; poor food handling practices; inappropriate food storage facilities; poor waste
management as well as limited research on Knowledge Attitude and Practices(KAP) of traders
and consumers as main gaps that present an opportunity for synergy and collaboration. The
meeting similarly initiated discussions on how REXBA, BUCADEF, and CONSENT can
jointly work towards implementing the Bulange Declaration in its entirety.
Following the successful deliberations, at the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of REXBA
Mr. Ssewava Robert, welcomed the partnership noting that it offers an opportunity to leverage
CONSENT’s experience to improve service delivery and expand outreach to beneficiaries. Mr.
Ssewava, acknowledged that the partnership with CONSENT is timely in developing solutions
such as investing in cold chain and storage facilities, increasing awareness campaigns and
advocating for policy changes.
On the other hand, CONSENT’s Team Leader Mr. Kimera Henry expressed CONSENT’s
commitment to collaborate with REXBA and BUCADEF to contribute towards improving
food safety, consumer protection and better business. He said, “We are proactively committed
to ensuring Food Safety by engaging directly with the market players. Establish rapport with
market stakeholders building a strong connection between consumers, vendors, management
and farmers to make it easier to trace the journey of the food from the farm to the folk”.
Additionally, Mr. Kimera commended REXBA for its commitment to consumer protection and
market improvement emphasizing that CONSENT will remain fully dedicated to partnering
with REXBA and BUCADEF to serve the people of Buganda and Uganda at large.
During the engagement Ms. Ayebare Ronnet the Research and Knowledge, officer at
CONSENT highlighted a critical opportunity to undertake several researches in Kabaka’s
markets to inform the type and nature of the interventions that need to be done. She further
indicated that consumers and traders’ awareness, capacity building and advocacy on food
safety, consumer protection and better business require solid and localized evidence to facilitate
appropriate setting of game changers and indicators of success of any planned projects
CONSENT’s Commitments and Value Addition to this Partnership
Leveraging on the wealth of experience acquired by CONSENT from the execution of various
food safety, consumer protection and better business projects in different locations including;
Gulu, Mbale, Kampala, Wakiso, Fort Portal, Kabarole and Kasese, CONSENT shall undertake;
Advocacy for consumer protection in all development sectors
Conduct consumer empowerment through awareness creation on different aspects including;
food safety, consumer rights and responsibilities, food loss and waste, nutrition, consumer
safety, product quality among others
Build capacity of business entities in product quality, product safety, occupational health,
adherence to standards, financial literacy, consumer feedback synthesis, better business models
among others.
Market Infrastructural development through seeking to fundraise for standard market stalls
and cold chain facilities-
Capacity building of political and technical leaders on issues related to consumer safety and
protection
Consumer complaints’ harvesting, synthesis and reporting to information policy dialogues
and programming
With this partnership, CONSENT, REXBA, and BUCADEF are set to drive impactful change
in the 8 markets of the Kabaka. By addressing food safety challenges, promoting awareness,
and investing in sustainable solutions, they are working towards a safer, healthier, and more
consumer-friendly market environment.
