Sesame (Sesamun indicum) or simsim in Swahili, an ancient oilseed, is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. This warm-season annual crop is primarily adapted to areas with long growing seasons and well-drained soils and has spread from its center or origin in Iraq to many parts of the world. In Uganda it is mainly grown in the northern and northeastern regions.

Simsim is weeded once and takes three-and-a-half months to mature. Production of the crop is more cultural than commercial in the northern region of the Uganda. Sesame seed exports have improved since 2002 mainly due to improved security in northern Uganda. Uganda exports sesame mainly to Singapore, Turkey, China and Germany were it is very instrumental in the confectionary industry. (Source: Uganda Export Promotion Board)