Nestled along the Queen Elizabeth National Park road in Bushenyi District, Kabeihura Farmers Ltd (KFL) is more than just a farm–it is a testament to the potential of integrating agriculture with tourism.
Established in 1975 by Eriab Muhoozi on a 20-hectare tea plantation, the farm has expanded into a 250-acre agribusiness hub, incorporating dairy farming, poultry, fish farming, and yogurt processing.
Today, Kabeihura Farm not only feeds Ugandans but also exports produce to neighboring Congo while attracting visitors eager to experience an authentic agricultural journey.
Under the leadership of director Isaac Muhanguzi, Kabeihura Farmers Ltd has evolved into a multifaceted agribusiness, employing about 100 workers.
The farm’s daily production includes 800 liters of milk from 38 dairy cows, 1,500 liters of yogurt under the Kazi Fresh brand, 2,000 kg of tea leaves, 100 trays of eggs from poultry farms, and 1.5 tons of fish sold monthly from 36 fish ponds.
Located in southwestern Uganda, the farm enjoys strong demand from local markets, while its eggs and yogurt are exported to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Despite its success in agricultural production, Kabeihura Farm remains underutilized in Uganda’s tourism sector.
Muhanguzi believes that most tourists visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park miss out on an opportunity to engage with Uganda’s agricultural heritage.
Tourists drink tea, but many have never seen how it’s grown and processed.
Beyond tea, visitors could experience dairy-to-yogurt production, poultry farming, and fish harvesting.
Birdwatchers could observe kingfishers over the ponds, while cultural tourists could engage in local food processing.
To fully integrate agro-tourism, Muhanguzi calls for improved infrastructure to enhance farm accessibility, value addition to make farm products more appealing to tourists, public sensitization on the agriculture-tourism connection, and on-site accommodations to extend tourists’ stay.
The farm’s agro-tourism potential is hindered by broader issues affecting Uganda’s agricultural industry.
Eriab Muhoozi, a veteran in Uganda’s tea sector, laments the lack of structured agricultural education and value addition.
He says the country lacks agricultural colleges, and without value addition, Ugandan products struggle to compete globally.
The long-awaited Tea Policy remains stuck in Parliament, leaving farmers without clear regulations and financial backing. Without reforms, Uganda’s competitiveness in global markets remains limited.
The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities recognizes agro-tourism’s potential and is incorporating it into Uganda’s strategic tourism plan.
Geoffrey Sseremba, the ministry’s undersecretary, emphasizes its role in boosting rural economies.
He says the government will support farmers and sensitize them, as Uganda has what it takes to develop agro-tourism without relying on imported models.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Uganda’s agricultural loan facility offers financial support for farm expansion.
However, stakeholders argue that more investment is needed in marketing and value addition.
Looking ahead, Muhoozi envisions transforming Kabeihura into a full agro-tourism destination with a cottage hotel to host visitors.
He recalls how one tourist was mesmerized just by seeing a pineapple for the first time, proving the untapped potential of agro-tourism.
He also plans to expand fish farming by processing and packaging fish fillets and sausages to meet the growing demand for white meat.
Kabeihura Farmers Ltd exemplifies the untapped potential of Uganda’s agro-tourism sector.
With high agricultural productivity, an established market, and a vision for expansion, the farm provides a model for integrating agriculture with tourism.
As Uganda seeks to diversify its tourism offerings, Kabeihura Farm stands as a prime example of how agriculture can enhance cultural experiences, create jobs, sustain rural economies, and elevate Uganda’s global tourism appeal.
