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.

Nagujja says before the pandemic, she did not ever imagine it was possible for her to engage in urban farming in the current space she is using.

Recently, she harvested three bunches of bananas. Nagujja says she sold one bunch and the family ate the other two. The proceeds from the matooke that she sold was used to buy household essentials.

By Mastula Nakandi