From Waste to Wealth: How Black Soldier Flies Are Powering Piggery in Amolatar district
Written by Ambrose Okwanga on June 5, 2025
A delegation from the Uganda Climate Smart Agriculture Transformation Project (UCSATP) on Wednesday 5th June 2025 conducted an official assessment visit to Kioga Bridge Group Farm in Alemere Bung Cell, Amolatar District. The visit aimed to evaluate the implementation of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices and to guide the group on eligibility criteria for further project support.
Led by senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), the technical team focused on the group’s initiatives in piggery and black soldier fly (BSF) rearing, both of which contribute to sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
Established on February 21, 2023, by Ojede James, Kioga Bridge Group Farm began as a small-scale piggery project. It has since grown to include five active members.
According to Group General Secretary Ojawang Denis, their transition into BSF farming followed training and technical support provided through UCSATP.
“The project introduced us to black soldier flies as a sustainable protein source for livestock feed and a solution for organic waste management,” Ojwang explained.
BSF larvae are highly efficient in converting organic waste into nutrient-rich feed, offering a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to commercial feeds. This dual benefit reducing both environmental pollution and feed costs, was a key highlight during the visit.
While acknowledging the group’s promising initiatives, the UCSATP technical team emphasized the need for structural reforms to qualify for future support.
The Senior Entomologist, Sebagala Hussin (MAAIF) advised the group to reorganize its membership to align with the program’s guidelines.
Senior Agriculture Inspector Nakimuli Florence emphasizes on gender Inclusivity saying atleast 40% of members must be women, with representation in leadership positions.
He added that Each group should consist of 15–18 members from different households, deliberate inclusion of youth, women, and persons with disabilities is mandatory.
Okello Dulson, Amolatar District’s Senior Entomologist, distinguished UCSATP from the Parish Development Model (PDM), noting that UCSATP is structured around climate resilience and co-funding mechanisms.
He called on community development officers and extension workers to identify and recommend viable groups for the program.
Apio Immaculate, the Community Development Officer for Amolatar Town Council, commended Kioga Bridge’s innovation.
“Their achievements in piggery and the adoption of BSF farming serve as an inspiration for other community groups,” she noted.
Okello Denis, a local resident, confessed he initially dismissed BSF farming as insignificant. “Now that the government is supporting it, I’m eager to get involved,” he said.
The UCSATP aims to enhance productivity, strengthen market access, and build the resilience of agricultural value chains across project areas. It also provides mechanisms for timely responses to eligible crises and emergencies.
By promoting the adoption of climate-smart technologies and management practices, the initiative supports the Government of Uganda’s broader goal of increasing productivity and household income while building resilience against climate shocks.
UCSATP categorizes beneficiary groups by sector, including beef, mango, soya bean, citrus, fisheries, and black soldier fly farming.
As of now, 163 farmer groups in Amolatar District are enrolled in the UCSATP grant scheme.
