In Kampala, food safety is a growing public health issue. "A 2023 study found that vegetables sold in local markets often contain a cocktail of pesticide residues," said the team at Urban Greens Ltd. "Some samples had up to seven different pesticide types, including ones the World Health Organization classifies as highly hazardous."
One particularly dangerous practice involves spraying chemicals like Mancozeb after harvest to artificially extend shelf life. Without enforcement, regulation, or adequate farmer training, urban markets have become hubs for unsafe fresh produce. This is where Urban Greens steps in.
The Urban Greens team
From failing DIY to scalable clean farming
Founded by electrical engineer Peter Huisman during the COVID-19 lockdown, Urban Greens began as a personal project to grow fresh food at home. When travel restrictions forced him to leave Uganda, the system failed, underscoring the need for autonomous, resilient design.
"Peter came back determined to fix the system," the team explained. "He added solar backups and remote monitoring. That version survived and thrived." As interest in fresh produce grew, it became clear that Peter couldn't meet the demand from his small backyard alone. This realization sparked the idea of forming an urban growers community to jointly supply the market. What began as one person's home setup has now evolved into Kampala's leading network for aquaponics and hydroponics growers.
Peter Huisman, CEO and Founder
No chemicals. No compromise.
"Our aquaponics systems use fish to nourish plants. No fertilizers, no pesticides," said the Urban Greens team. "Even in hydroponics, where nutrient solutions are used, we apply precision blends and rely only on organic pest control." Because fish are integral to the system, the use of toxic substances is biologically incompatible. "You can't cut corners," they added. "It's either clean or it fails."
Urban Greens grows a range of produce tailored to local demand, including five types of lettuce, basil, coriander, mint, parsley, celery, curly kale, spring onions, cherry tomatoes, Swiss chard, leeks, and cucumbers. The company ensures these crops remain chemical-free, providing safer alternatives to market staples often compromised by pesticide overuse.
To help urban growers keep their crops healthy without chemicals, Urban Greens provides ongoing technical and agronomic support. This includes tailored nutrient schedules, pest prevention advice, and regular monitoring, essential for first-time growers navigating complex systems.
The aquaponics set-up
Consumer demand on the rise
Once a niche service catering to expatriates, Urban Greens is now seeing mainstream demand. "Ugandan households are catching on," the team said. "Many customers say they can taste the difference."
Today, Urban Greens delivers weekly to over 100 households, up from just a few deliveries a year ago. The company hosts regular open farm events to deepen trust and transparency. "When people see how it's grown, they commit for the long term." Monthly customer growth sits between 10 and 15%, and awareness of pesticide-related health risks is only accelerating.
Growing trust in a broken system
In a market flooded with contaminated produce, Urban Greens is proving that clean, safe food is an attainable standard. "Our systems eliminate the risk of chemical exposure," the team said. "And because everything is grown right here in the city, it's fresher, more traceable, and better for both people and the planet."
For more information: 
Urban Greens
Peter Huisman, CEO and Founder
+256 784 741 516
[email protected]
www.urbangreensltd.com
Combatting the prevalance of tainted produce in Uganda with aquaponics