The Annual Permaculture School Outreach Expo brought together ten schools from Kamuli and Buyende districts to celebrate and showcase sustainable agricultural practices. The participating schools included Kiswa Primary School, Nabirumba Primary School, Kamuli Boys Boarding Primary School, Busoga High School, Wesunire Primary School, Mutekanga Primary School, Canaan Junior School, Royal College, and Buzaya Secondary School. Of these, three were secondary schools and the rest were primary.
The event, hosted by Busoga High School, highlighted the growing importance of permaculture education in shaping environmentally conscious learners. In his opening remarks, the Head Teacher of Busoga High School emphasized that the Expo helps learners and teachers gain vital hands-on skills that prepare them for a sustainable future.
Mr. Martin, a representative from Iowa State University, shared insights on sustainability, illustrating the mutual relationships within nature — for example, how cows provide milk, manure for soil enrichment, and dung for cementing floors. His message reinforced the importance of seeing farming systems as interconnected and self-sustaining.
Learners from various schools presented poems, songs, and drama performances on permaculture and environmental conservation. Kamuli Boys Boarding Primary School highlighted the achievements of their school’s permaculture club, focusing on biodiversity, harmony, and food security. They also expressed interest in acquiring expertise to convert waste urine into urea fertilizer, showing the practical innovation inspired by permaculture education.
Permaculture training in schools has taken a significant leap forward in 2025 under the dedicated leadership of Teacher Lawrence Mutabuza and his team of passionate permaculture educators. This new organization builds upon the foundation laid by Charles Mugarura’s Broadfield Enterprises Uganda (BEU) initiative, which played a key role in advocating for and achieving government approval to include permaculture in the national school curriculum.
With this milestone, schools across Uganda are now better equipped to integrate hands-on, sustainable farming and environmental education into their learning programs, empowering students to become champions of ecological stewardship and food security.
Mr. Mutabuza Lawrence, the Coordinator of the School Permaculture Outreach Program, explained that permaculture is about working with nature rather than against it. He noted that students in permaculture clubs grow organic vegetables and produce, supplementing their school diets with healthy, homegrown food. He urged schools to embrace organic farming and avoid genetically modified crops (GMOs), highlighting that organic practices protect biodiversity, improve soil fertility, and promote long-term food security.
Learners have gained valuable skills in sustainable farming practices, including soil management, composting, crop rotation, and organic pest control. Through active participation in school gardens and permaculture clubs, students have developed a deeper appreciation for the environment and the importance of self-reliance in food production. Teachers have also noted improvements in learners’ creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities, as they apply classroom knowledge to real-life agricultural challenges.
At Busoga High School, the integration of permaculture into daily learning has not only enhanced practical skills but also boosted school enrollment, as more parents are drawn to its hands-on and life-changing approach to education. The program has transformed the school environment into a vibrant learning space where sustainability is practiced, not just taught — fostering a new generation of environmentally responsible and resourceful citizens.
Dr. Lorna Brown reflected on the strong partnership between Dolen Ffermio and Uganda, which began nearly 30 years ago, emphasizing the long-term commitment to community development and education. Doctor Lorna further empahised that the Permaculture Schools Outreach (PSO) is now registered as an independent organization, separate from BEU. Dolen Ffermio has committed to supporting PSO through funding for teacher training workshops, educational materials for students, gardening tools, and planting supplies.
Currently, a total of 7,157 learners across seven primary schools and three secondary schools are being introduced to permaculture principles as part of their education. In addition, permaculture clubs have been enthusiastically formed to give students hands-on experience in sustainable practices.
An especially important outcome of this initiative is that students are sharing their knowledge with their families, helping to improve household livelihoods and strengthen community resilience through sustainable living.
The Chief Administrative Officer and Resident District Commissioner of Kamuli encouraged schools and communities to form permaculture clubs, pledging district-level support to expand the program and sustain its impact.
The Expo concluded with a renewed sense of collaboration and commitment to promoting sustainability, self-reliance, and organic farming among young learners — the future stewards of our environment.
