Miriam Namata2026-07-312026-07-312026-05-20https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11951/2231PostgraduateChilli (Capsicum annum L.), locally known as "Kamulali," is a vegetable spice with important nutritional, medical, and economic. The crop is mainly grown by smallholder farmers in Uganda. In Kamuli district, chilli provides a significant income source for mainly women and youths. Despite its importance and export potential, no literature exists on the commercialization of chilli production. This study addresses this gap. Using data collected from 220 smallholder chilli farmers in Butansi and Mbulamuti sub-counties in Kamuli district, the study examined the commercialization behaviour of chilli production using descriptive statistics. The determinants of the level of commercialization were analyzed using a Tobit regression model. The study further employed linear regression using OLS to analyze the effect of chilli commercialization on income of household farmers. Results show that chilli production is male dominated, mostly undertaken by married people and those having large households. The level of commercialization of chilli production was influenced by membership to farmer group, gender of the farmer, access to extension and financial services, household size. OLS results indicate that the commercialization level of chilli production has a positive and significant effect on the income level of smallholder farmers. The study recommends increasing the level of commercialization through increasing access to financial and extension services, providing an enabling environment for farmer group formation.enThesis