Urban agroecology hubs are building resilience by “doing more with less”

Abstract Rapid urbanisation in Uganda is intensifying pressure on food systems, ecosystems, and employment opportunities. Urban agroecology has emerged as a promising response, yet both practice and policy support remain fragmented. This qualitative bi-case study examines how two agroecology hubs in the Kampala metropolitan area implement urban agroecology, engage communities, and navigate systemic constraints to strengthen climate resilience. Data were collected through focus group discussions, in-depth and small group interviews with organisational leaders and staff, site observations, and photographic documentation. Using a pre-determined framework based on Resilience Theory, the data were analysed across four themes: agroecology innovations, climate resilience, community engagement, and implementation challenges. Findings show that both cases exemplify small-space, ecology-first design and circular resource use. They function as demonstration and training hubs engaging women, youth, schools, and farmer groups. However, operations face constraints including insecure or limited land, costly or unreliable water, weak policy support, low consumer awareness, and thin input supply chains. Despite these, urban agroecology in Kampala proves viable and socially empowering. The study underscores the need to integrate agroecology zones into municipal planning, ensure access to land and affordable water, and strengthen local input systems such as biofertilizers and biopesticides. Scaling grassroots agroecology hubs into city-wide learning platforms and supporting territorial markets will deepen community engagement. Coordinated governance, enabling policies, and sustained investment in grassroots innovation are essential to mainstream urban agroecology in rapidly urbanizing contexts.