Circle of Friends In Action

Circle of Friends In Action COFIA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, uplifts women & families in Eastern Uganda through education & sustainable farming, fostering economic empowerment.

Circle of Friends in Action (COFIA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering communities in Eastern Uganda. Founded in 2011, COFIA began by providing academic supplies to schoolchildren in Rubongi Village while inspiring U.S. students to become global leaders. In 2017, COFIA expanded its impact by launching COFIA Farms, addressing food insecurity and economic empowerment through sustainabl

e agriculture. When the 2020 pandemic closed schools across Uganda, COFIA pivoted to focus on farming—training women and local farmers in modern agricultural practices and providing essential tools, high-quality seeds, organic fertilizer, and pesticides. An economically empowered mother lifts her family out of poverty. Fair, equitable access to resources leads to higher yields, greater food security, and well-nourished children with stronger futures. By equipping both women and local farmers with the knowledge and resources to succeed, COFIA is strengthening entire communities. With support from Rotary partners, private donors, and researchers, COFIA Farms continues to grow. Our Farming Collective engages smallholder farmers, while our annual Agricultural Expo—which drew over 800 participants in 2024—provides hands-on training and market access. COFIA Farms is a dynamic agribusiness social enterprise, developing innovative solutions to increase productivity amid climate change. Through training, advisory services, marketing support, and community assistance, we are empowering rural farmers to build a sustainable future. Learn more about COFIA’s Demonstration Farm, Collective, Expo, and partners at www.cofiauganda.com

Welcoming the NEW YEAR with GRATITUDE and IMPACT.As we step into a new year, we’re reflecting on what’s possible when co...
12/31/2025

Welcoming the NEW YEAR with GRATITUDE and IMPACT.

As we step into a new year, we’re reflecting on what’s possible when communities and partners come together with a shared purpose.

This video highlights one powerful example from 2025: our Rural Health Team Uganda, working alongside Rotary International, brought essential healthcare directly to more than 1,500 farmers across seven villages in Tororo District. From lab testing to chronic disease monitoring, every patient received the care they needed, free of charge.

Because when farmers are healthy, fields flourish. When fields flourish, families thrive. And when families thrive, communities grow.

This moment is part of a much bigger story. In the past year, COFIA strengthened smallholder farming through training and mechanization, expanded women- and youth-led agriculture, hosted expos and field schools, built storage and irrigation infrastructure, and deepened collaboration across Uganda and abroad. None of this happens alone.

It takes many hands, many partners, and deep trust, from our farmers and local leaders, to Rotary International, National Agricultural Research Organisation - NARO Uganda, health professionals, volunteers, donors, and friends in both Uganda and the U.S.

As we begin this new year, we say THANK YOU. Your partnership makes healthier people, stronger farms, and more resilient communities possible.

Here’s to growing together in the year ahead.



COFIA Uganda, with Rural Health Team Uganda and Rotary Partners, brought healthcare directly to over 1,500 farmers across seven villages in Tororo District. ...

COFIA Farms made its first TV appearance in another country! Our Head of Programs and Partnerships, Joseph Ochieng, was ...
12/16/2025

COFIA Farms made its first TV appearance in another country!

Our Head of Programs and Partnerships, Joseph Ochieng, was featured on “Kenya’s Gold”, Episode: Agriculture in Uganda (the story begins at 2:10). The program airs on Citizen TV, one of Kenya’s most-watched television networks with strong reach and influence across East Africa, making this an exciting milestone for our work and our farmers.

Joseph did an incredible job speaking about the importance of various crops, not just for farming and agriculture, but for the role they play in everyday diets.

He highlights cassava, a crop that grows exceptionally well in Uganda and is rich in nutritional value, making it a vital food source for families and communities.

He also shares how COFIA Farms’ approach to agriculture is continually guided by our mission to teach and empower farmers with knowledge that supports long-term sustainability.

Congratulations, Joseph, and well done to COFIA Farms on this important moment!



This Giving Tuesday, we’re celebrating the farmers of COFIA Farms.This summer, our farmers came together for a hands-on ...
12/03/2025

This Giving Tuesday, we’re celebrating the farmers of COFIA Farms.

This summer, our farmers came together for a hands-on refresher training focused on strengthening their work with staple crops like Gnuts and millet. These gatherings bring women and men together to learn, share experience, and deepen the skills that help sustain their families.

Gnuts remain an essential crop across Uganda, nutritious, drought-tolerant, and a reliable source of income, especially for women and mothers balancing farming with caring for their households. When farmers gain access to training, it doesn’t just improve a harvest, it strengthens a family’s stability, a child’s education, and a community’s future.

Your engagement with COFIA Farms, following along, sharing our work, cheering on our farmers, helps shine a light on what empowerment looks like in real lives, every day.

Thank you for being part of their story.

Tacoma Sunrise Rotary Rotary International

12/03/2025

Giving Tuesday: Empower Youth. Strengthen Farming.

Across Eastern Uganda, many young people are turning away from agriculture, but COFIA Farms is bringing them back through modern farming.

In partnership with National Agricultural Research Organisation - NARO Uganda and Rotary International, we recently trained 50 youth to operate tractors and use new farming technologies. Their excitement is unmistakable, seeing that farming can be profitable, dignified, and full of possibility.

Mechanization doesn’t just inspire youth; it boosts productivity for the smallholder farmers we serve across rural communities.

This Giving Tuesday, your support helps young people build futures in modern agriculture, and helps entire villages thrive.

Tacoma Sunrise Rotary

On Monday, the COFIA team wrapped up a productive partnership visit with Psalms Food Industries Ltd, a Ugandan company d...
07/03/2025

On Monday, the COFIA team wrapped up a productive partnership visit with Psalms Food Industries Ltd, a Ugandan company dedicated to supporting local farmers and sustainable agriculture.

Our focus? Exploring new groundnut technologies and off-taking opportunities that bring together cutting-edge agricultural research and the hard work of local growers.

This marks an exciting step in the journey from agricultural research and farms to the crunchy, flavorful, protein-packed groundnut snack enjoyed by so many Ugandans.

Huge thanks to Psalms Food Industries for the warm welcome and shared commitment to empowering Uganda’s farming communities.

Who is COFIA Farms? We are a nonprofit—social enterprise.Our Goal?To enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainabi...
07/02/2025

Who is COFIA Farms?
We are a nonprofit—social enterprise.

Our Goal?
To enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainability of smallholder farmers.

Who do we serve?
We focus on rural women and youth, to improve livelihoods and food security in Eastern Uganda.

How do we make it happen?
We are guided by a Four Pillar Approach:

#1 - Training
Educating farmers on modern agricultural techniques.

#2 - Demonstration
Showcasing improved farming methods and technologies.

#3 - Seed Multiplication
Increasing the availability of high-quality seeds for farmers.

#4 - Research/New Technologies
Conducting trials to identify and promote the best agricultural innovations.

What are COFIA’s Key Agricultural Programs?
- Groundnut Programme
- Maize Programme
- Fish and Livestock

We are so close! The tents are up, the chairs have been set. All we need now—FARMERS! Tomorrow (THIS MORNING in Uganda!)...
07/02/2025

We are so close! The tents are up, the chairs have been set. All we need now—FARMERS!

Tomorrow (THIS MORNING in Uganda!) begins the 4th ANNUAL GRASSROOTS AGRICULTURAL EXPOSITION, July 2-4.

Our theme: “Cultivating More with Less:
Transforming Agriculture Together”

The Expo will allow farmers to strengthen skills and increase agriculture knowledge; leading to improved livelihoods and well-being.

Let the Expo begin!

# COFIAfarms

Our COFIA Team from the U.S. arrived in Uganda last week ahead of the 4th Annual COFIA Grassroots Agricultiral Expositio...
07/01/2025

Our COFIA Team from the U.S. arrived in Uganda last week ahead of the 4th Annual COFIA Grassroots Agricultiral Exposition to be held July 2-4th.

It’s estimated upwards of 1,000+ participants will convene at the COFIA Demonstration & Training Center on Peta Pakoi, Tororo District, for agricultural training and other informative education.

This week our team met with the Rotary Club of Kiwatule in Uganda. (See photos)

COFIA received essential farming equipment—tractors, tents, chairs, and a full PA system—thanks to a Rotary International Global Grant and the generosity of our partners in the U.S. and Uganda’s Rotary Club of Kiwatule.

The COFIA Farming Expo will provide farmers with vital opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Many thanks to all of those involved in planning for this extraordinary event that garners national media coverage in Uganda along with visiting dignitaries.

We are proud to share knowledge and training with talented farmers from around the eastern Uganda region.

Stay tuned for more photos in the coming days as the exposition connects students with educators.

Our 2025 theme: “Cultivating More with Less:
Transforming Agriculture Together”

We’re proud to share the official video from our recent milestone event in Eastern Uganda. With support from a Rotary Gl...
05/21/2025

We’re proud to share the official video from our recent milestone event in Eastern Uganda.

With support from a Rotary Global Grant and our incredible partners—Rotary Club of Kiwatule 9123, and Rotary Districts 5020 & 5010—COFIA Uganda is now equipped with walking tractors to reduce labor and boost yields, essential equipment for the upcoming COFIA Farm Expo, and a new storage facility now under construction to support long-term farming success.

“Our mission for COFIA Uganda is to make agriculture more productive for the smallholder farmers, and we can't achieve that without mechanization,” says Godwin Othieno, COFIA Uganda Country Director.

Rotary District Governor Anne Nkutu (District 9213) shares with the community, “Everything that has been donated will benefit you. It will benefit your children. And it will benefit even your grandchildren.”

Special thanks:

Rotary International
Rotary Club of Kiwatule 9123 (Uganda)
Rotary District 5020 (Tacoma Sunrise RotaryTacoma Sunrise, Rotary Club of Tacoma #8, and Puyallup)
Rotary District 5010 (Anchorage Rotary, Anchorage East Rotary, Juneau Glacier Valley Rotary, Juneau-Gastineau Rotary, Sitka)

We are grateful to many in the community, including those featured in the video:

Jane Odoi, Champion Farmer, COFIA Uganda

Godwin Othieno, Country President, COFIA Uganda

Joseph Ochieng, Head of Programs & Partnerships, COFIA Uganda

Anne Nkutu, Rotary District Governor, District 9213

Winnie Babihuga, President, Rotary Club of Kiwatule

Xavier Ssentamu, Past Rotary District Governor, District 9213

Dr. David Kalule Okello, Director of NaSARRI & Principal Researcher, NARO Uganda

Othieno John Obbo, District Agricultural Officer, Tororo District

Okuni Jackson, Local Council Chairman, Tororo District

Agriculture

For generations, smallholder farmers in Uganda have faced immense challenges on the path from soil to harvest. But today, change is taking root. At COFIA Uganda,…

To plant a seed is to believe in tomorrow. It is rain season in Uganda right now. In this tropical climate, even during ...
05/19/2025

To plant a seed is to believe in tomorrow.

It is rain season in Uganda right now. In this tropical climate, even during rainy season, the sun shines. And from the earth our farmers hard work has begun to give us a preview of what looks to be a promising bountiful crop.

Photos from farms in Namuyoga and Iyolwa, Uganda.

“It’s really looking beautiful,” says COFIA Uganda Country Director Godwin Othieno. Excited to share what he sees on the...
05/16/2025

“It’s really looking beautiful,” says COFIA Uganda Country Director Godwin Othieno.

Excited to share what he sees on the ground in Eastern Uganda with everyone in the United States, Mr. Godwin Othieno points out that the farm he is visiting is that of a Champion Farmer.

Champion Farmers typically graduate from the entry level COFIA Farming Collective. Their high skill level elevates them into this next category of “Champion Farmers”. “Champions” farm their own two-acres. They also mentor other farmers.

These luscious lines of green growth represents a success story. As a result of farm education gained from COFIA and our expert agricultural partners, such as (NARO), the National Agriculture Research Organization, a bountiful crop springs up from the earth.

It is beautiful, don’t you think?

05/14/2025

WANTED: More young farmers. 🌱🌍

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Tacoma, WA

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