Government has called for massive investment in the beef industry as another way of eradicating poverty among Ugandans.
State minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperative, David Wakikhona
The Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperative, David Wakikhona said there is room for investment in the livestock and meat sector due to low meat processing capacity and high production in the country.
Wakikhona mentioned the forage seed production, animal breeding and supply of stock, construction of abattoirs and vaccine development as the opportunities for investment.
Statistics show that there are 7 small scale meat processing plants producing around between 300 to 700kgs of meat products per day.
“The challenge now is upon the stakeholders to take advantage of these investment opportunities available in this sector,”Wakikhona said.
He noted that there is ready market for meat products a result of the rising meat consumption in the country and the region.
Wakikhona urged the cattle farmers at the Uganda Meat Producers Cooperative Union (UMPCU) Annual General Meeting at Uganda Manufactures Association (UMA) recently to use the non-trade barriers by supplying meat to the member states through an organized system.
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries Commissioner Benon Kyokwijuka challenged the cattle farmers to create a brand of meat for Uganda.
“We want to have Uganda’s meat tasting the same through out be it in Europe,”Kyokwijuka said.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer UMPCU, Joshua Waiswa noted that Uganda still has the best meat but lacks a market for the meat and its products.
He said however there is a challenge of poor hygiene and animal disease control.
At the same meeting, Jones Kamugisa was elected the new executive director for UMPCU deputized by Sheeba Kanyesigye together with Amos Kalema as the new treasurer among others.
