When Dr. Richard Wemesa was announced as second runner-up at the 2025 Best Farmers Awards, the applause that followed did not merely celebrate a well-run farm in Wakiso District. The Vision Group’s Best Farmers Awards, in partnership with dfcu Bank, KLM, and the Netherlands Embassy, is an annual initiative recognizing outstanding Ugandan farmers, featuring transparent judging, significant cash prizes, and learning trips to the Netherlands to promote modern, sustainable agriculture. Dr. Wemesa’s national recognition as one of Uganda’s best farmers acknowledged something deeper: a story of patience, failure, reinvention and the quiet power of timely finance. At the heart of…
Powered by dfcu: How a Bank Overdraft, Grit, and Vision Lifted Dr. Richard Wemesa onto Uganda’s Best Farmers List From a UGX 90 million overdraft to a fully integrated agribusiness, Dr. Richard Wemesa’s Jolwe Group shows how structured finance and grit can transform farming.

Dr. Richard Wemesa (third from left in blue suit) alongside his wife pose with a cheque after being declared second runner-up at the 2025 Best Farmers Awards. Looking on is Annette Kiconco (extreme left), dfcu Bank Chief Retail Banking Officer, Frederieke Quispel – Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda (on extreme right), and Dr. Wemesa's farm managers.



