Last year’s lockdown that was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic opened the eyes of Maria Nagujja to urban farming. From March to June, vehicles were not allowed to move on the roads in Uganda, apart from those offering essential services. So, many people were confined to their homes.

Nagujja, who lives in Katwe, a Kampala suburb, chose to use the small space in her family compound to grow vegetables, and she reaped big. The good harvest from her vegetable garden also opened Maria’s eyes to growing something more than the vegetables. She ventured into planting bananas and maize.