Edward Agaba

Business adviser, Educator/Teacher, Inventor, Project manager, Social entrepreneur

Overview: A graduate of Development Economics and a teacher, Edward is a creative and dynamic development worker with over 10 years of work experience in Uganda. He has had an illustrative career in high school teaching, microfinance, smallholder farmer market access and project management. Edward is a consummate professional; always eager to help others but persistent in demanding for results. Education: He holds an MSc in Development Economics from Uganda Martyrs University and a BA in Education (Economics major) from Makerere University, Kampala. Professional Work: Currently (2013), he is working as a Senior Business Manager at TechnoServe Inc./Uganda where he is leading a fruits project in eastern Uganda. The Bill and Merinda Gates Foundation, and The Coca Cola Company funded project aims to demonstrate the ability of African smallholder fruit farmers to double their incomes by becoming sustainable suppliers of mango and passion fruit. In Uganda, Edward is leading a team that supports 17,000 mango and passion fruit farmers in the Eastern region, enhancing productivity and product quality, supporting farmer organization, and facilitating market linkages. The project’s long term vision is to create a sustainable supply of good quality fruit for all markets. Community work: Passionate about helping low income people to create opportunities, Edward founded Rwerere Standard High School in south western Uganda, an initiative to help children have access to quality and affordable education. Started in 2009, the school had 140 children undergoing Uganda lower secondary education syllabus. Networks and Awards: Edward is an Acumen Fund Fellow alumni (joined 2011), a program that is designed to develop the Fellows’ leadership skills and strengthen the projects that they are driving. Edward got into this inaugural fellowship in recognition of his work at TechnoServe Inc./Uganda where as a Senior Business Advisor, he led a project to support over 26,000 smallholder Matooke banana farmers in south western Uganda. Under his leadership, he helped farmers to increase their incomes and have access to financial services.

Social transformation through agribusiness and education.

Improving the economic efficiency and profitable returns of the agricultural sector to smallholder families in Uganda will increase opportunities for farmers and their children to have food security and income for health care, education and other basic needs. This will change the lives of the million of agricultural households across Uganda and Africa by creating more opportunities for them to gainfully participate in the development of the African continent .

Education & Development, Farmer market access, Project Management - community development

Around Dec last year, 2012 I received an email inviting me and four others to attend an upcoming TEDx event, TEDxYouth@Bukoto in Kampala. I had previously heard about and watched online TEDx events, but had never attended one. Themed: Our Moment, the event sounded cool for a young person like me involved in social change. I was however, anxious as I did not know what to expect but also exciting, as I was about to have my first TEDx experience. On Dec 14th, I set out to attend the TEDxYouth@Bukoto. The experience was incredibly memorable. I was honoured to meet distinguished young people from across Africa boldly sharing their stories of social changes. Some of Africa's most dynamic and creative change-makers were there to share the inspirations that motivate them, explain how they apply their ideas for social good, and articulate their vision for Africa. My anxiety is now over. I am excited about how powerful TEDx shows are in connecting, sharing and inspiring social change!

Teaching and developing curriculum materials for learners. I have a written a teaching and revision guide for high school economics students in Uganda.