Uganda National Livestock Dialogue workshop Report
Date: 15th July 2015
Venue: Grand Imperial Hotel – Kampala Uganda
Introduction
Livestock production in Uganda contributes 5.2% and 12.7% to total GDP and agricultural GDP
respectively. Smallholder farmers own about 90 percent of all cattle and almost 100 percent of
goats, sheep and poultry. About 40 percent of total rural households keep chickens and other
poultry, about 20 percent own cattle, and almost one-third own goats. Since around 45 percent
of rural dwellers are estimated to be poor, policies favouring the livestock sector could
contribute to poverty reduction. Pastoralists are mainly found in the north-eastern districts,
where human population density and rainfall are low, and in western Uganda, where people
given freehold and leasehold title to their land are increasingly practicing mixed-farming.
In the other areas of the country, agro-pastoralism and mixed-farming systems dominate,
alongside with around 50 fattening farms and some thousands dairy farms, mainly located in
Mbarara district and around Kampala. The government of Uganda has set up a detailed
strategy of development for the livestock sector. It consists of: 1) carrying out effective animal
disease control; 2) formulation and implementation of appropriate animal health standards and
regulations; 3) promoting genetic improvement and better animal nutrition; 4) training and
delivery of advisory services; 5) supporting livestock research; 6) improving livestock and
livestock products marketing system. Key actors are the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry
and Fisheries (MAAIF), the National Animal Genetic Resources Center and Data Bank (NAGRC DB), the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and
Industry (MTTI), the Economic Planning Board (EBP), and the Uganda Beef Producers
Associations (UBPA), as well as private investors, local governments, non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs).
Workshop proceedings
The meeting opened with a word of prayer from a volunteer farmer leader. Mr. Caleb
Guminsizira from UNFFE then requested participants to introduce themselves. Mr. Leonard
Msemakweli Chief Executive officer of UCA was welcomed to give official opening remarks to
commence the meeting.
Opening remarks – Chief Executive officer Uganda Cooperative Alliance Mr. Leonard
Msemakweli.
Dear participants,
May I on behalf of the UCA welcome you to this National consultation workshop here at Grand
Imperial Hotel, Kampala. I give special welcome to Marygoretti Gachagua, the Assistant
Programme Officer, Gender and Youth and her colleague who have come to facilitate the
workshop.
In Uganda, in the faring sector, livestock has been marginalised in all government programs
(including research), and yet those of us who have travelled know that the sub-sector actually
has a much bigger potential to pull people out of poverty than crop value chains. This is
because livestock is less relatively less risky compared to crops, it is easier for the producers to
add value, and produce many different products and a huge potential for forward and
backward linkages . There are very few crop enterprises which can compete with livestock as
far as pulling people out of poverty is concerned. From my visits in Uganda and even in
neighboring countries like Kenya, I have seen that we can easily transform not only our
communities but even countries using the livestock value chain. We also know that some of
the livestock value chains, such as poultry can greatly contribute to reducing unemployment
particularly among the youth, which is a major problem everywhere.
It is encouraging to see that civil society and the private sector are taking steps to do
something about it through this collaborative research called : Platform for African European
Partners in agriculture Research for Development. My guess as to why livestock value chain
has been left out of research is probably because our research progrsmmes have been funded
on external grants by people who did not appreciate livestock as a value chain suitable for
smallholders. We also know that previous governments did not take anything that did not
generate foreign exchange and livestock was in that category.
Fortunately, the negative attitude and the lack of support for the livestock value chains seems
by our policy makers and the Development partners from whom we are seeking funding is
changing. This is because the potential benefits of livestock are quickly being recognized and
the subsector is growing very fast with factories being set up and increased exports. In
addition, the policy makers and the development partners appreciate that global food security
cannot be taken for granted anymore and we must tap every potential.
AFF has recognised that in order for us to tap into the opportunities, we need to be organized
and have sound and quality proposals. That is why I would like to extend our appreciation to
EAFF for the step they have taken to facilitate this consultation meeting , including finding the
resources, so that we can organize ourselves and write proposals. I myself have tried to work
with Agriterra and one University from Holland but did not succeed. However, I strongly
believe that when we bring everyone on board and with the backing of organisations such as
EAFF, we have a higher chance for succeeding.
Once again I welcome all of you and wish you good deliberations and I thank my colleagues for
quickly mobilizing the people whom I know are very knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm.
Thank you.
Background information – by Marygoretti Gachagua EAFF
EAFF conducted a study in 2012 on the
livestock sector within Kenya and Uganda.
The situation analysis revealed that livestock
production and productivity in agro-pastoral
and pastoral systems of Eastern Africa is
constrained by a number of factors including
effects of the climate change and climate
variability; which translate into frequent
droughts and floods and bears heavily on
pasture and water stress as well as on pests
and diseases that compromise livestock production. Other constraints to livestock production in
the target production systems include limited extension services, cattle rustling, limited access
to financial services and insurance facilities, corroding of traditional institutions and coping
mechanisms, and loss of common property resources.
High levels of post-harvest losses in the livestock sector have been a major concern, calling for
stakeholder interventions particularly private sector investment, development support, and
enabling government policy. In the processing segment, poor value addition practices and
generalized lack of knowhow, and inadequate infrastructures are major constraints that need
strategic intervention. There is urgent need for improvement of slaughter houses which; lack
minimum facilities such as drainage facilities and waste disposal, use unhygienic practices
especially in handling meat and other livestock products, and lack appropriate containers
(during transportation) that expose products to hazardous contamination. Efforts to have
policies and laws in place to ensure standard practices and facilitates have been crippled by
inefficient institutions for enforcement of regulations the processing segment of the livestock
value chain. Other important constraints include limited investment by the private sector in due
to limited financial facilities and lack of incentives from governments.
From the findings, EAFF developed a strategic plan to intervene in the sector. The strategic plan
has 4 pillars
Pillar
Justification
Extending the area This is in resonance with the situation in the EA region, where scarcity of resources
under
sustainable has led to competition among producers in crop-livestock systems and conflict
land management resulting in reduced efficiencies in distribution of natural resources. Pastoral
and reliable water systems in Kenya and Uganda are faced with scarcity of pasture and water
control systems.
resources that results from land degradation and climatic changes. Under this pillar
CAADP priority is focused on; maintaining and sustaining livestock mobility and
reduce conflict over natural resources through policy development, develop NRM
plans, promote efficient disease surveillance mechanism, develop policies to transboundary NRM and document and disseminate best practices on sustainable NRM.
EAFF has a crucial role in the livestock sector especially identifying policies and
advocating for regulating natural resources use in extensive livestock systems. This
can be done by engaging EAFF member institutions to participate in national
priorities as well as in regional initiatives.
Improving
rural EAFF situational assessment identified challenges to marketing and trade as lack of
infrastructure and market infrastructure, limited access to market information, poor functionality of
trade-related
the institutions, trade ban due diseases and inadequate policies to improve market
capacities
for access. CAADP considers market access as an incentive that drives investment.
market access
Initiatives are intended to develop infrastructure, promote establishment of
livestock producer organizations, develop policies that facilitate cross-border trade,
arbitration, stimulate participation of smallholder famers, enhance market
intelligence, collective marketing, improve negotiating power, and foster enabling
environment. Considering CAADP livestock priorities, strategic collaboration of
EAFF with CAADP frameworks at regional and national level will serve to generate a
concerted effort to address the critical constraints to marketing and market access.
EAFF’s node can be through promoting equitable market policies that encourage
the development of market opportunities by increasing the availability of market
information, strengthening the relationships between producers’ groups and the
institutions that control and monitor market information, providing opportunities
to expand commercial production and inter-regional trade of livestock products
Increasing
food
supply,
reducing
hunger
and
improving responses
to food emergency
crises
Improving
agriculture research,
technology
dissemination and
adoption.
while prioritizing the role of producers. This can be done by encouraging small scale
holder investment in livestock production, building capacity among traders to better
negotiate markets, stimulate participation of small farmer into value addition,
enhance trade networks and promote establishment of infrastructure like sanitary
facilities, feeder roads, and laboratories.
The severe effect of climate change on livestock production and productivity in the
EA region was prominent in the situational analysis. Not only because of the effects
on ecosystems but also because of the low adaptive capacity of communities mainly
lack of infrastructure, alternative livelihoods, support services, and appropriate
policies to enable adaptation strategies that impacts on food security and food
supply. This calls for a comprehensive strategy to address climate change effects
and build resilience for climate adaptation among livestock dependent communities
in the EA region. CAADP under this pillar noted that food security is a critical issue
due to the low productivity of our livestock combined to climate change. The action
for mainstreaming
livestock in CAADP framework focuses on; enhancing
governance of animal health services, promote and integrate crop-livestock
production systems, improve productive potential of indigenous livestock breeds,
investment in biotechnology, securing access to credit and other inputs,
strengthening adaptation to climate change.
EAFF has the mandate to liaise with various stakeholders like researchers, NGOs to
deliver demand driven priorities to the end users. EAFF can play a role in capacity
building for human resources to support research, technology development and
dissemination and engage member institutions to promote the resources and
leadership of African institutions and human resources in technological
development. Under this pillar CAADP Livestock focus is directed at promoting
research, technology, and adoption needs to pay careful attention to demand led
and stakeholder prioritized needs. Priority areas of action shall include; securing
access to livestock health services, build capacity for human resources and
institutions, develop and test tools for policy formulations and address knowledge
gaps about farming systems. Implementation targets to involve including the
National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES), universities, African
NGOs, and local community organizations and institutions.
The significant focus of CAADP on livestock is an opportunity for EAFF to collaborate with
African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) has which has been
designated as lead institution for the livestock sub-sector, and tasked to develop a framework
to mainstream livestock in the CAADP pillars (AU-IBAR, 2010).
Priority research questions
After the situational analysis and development of the strategy document. EAFF, held a research
question development workshop by different stakeholders and some of the priority questions
were;
Themes and research area of focus and research questions
Research focus
Priority research questions
Improving
the  What are the most appropriate and sustainable water harvesting
techniques for livestock watering in arid and semi arid areas?
availability and quality

What policies affect access and control of rangeland resources in the
of feed and water
pastoral areas?
 What are the cost benefits of various methods of feed conservation in
extensive livestock production?
 How to enhance feed/pasture quality and availability through indigenous
and improved technologies in feed conservation/post harvesting handling
and crop -livestock integration for sustainable extensive livestock
Preventing
and  How to develop or improve animal health services, policies and
technologies for surveillance preventing and controlling common or trans controlling pests and
boundary diseases and pests for sustainable extensive beef production in
diseases (common and
the region
trans
boundary
 How to document and incorporate ITK
diseases)
 What are the effective ITKs in diseases and pest control and how to utilize
them for sustainable extensive beef production in the region?
Breeding and improving  What are the superior breeds, lines individuals for conservation
improvements and sustainability and utilization
the
utilization
of

How to develop community based policy for adapting breeding and
indigenous
animal
utilization of indigenous animal genetics resources
genetic resources
Improvement of shelf  What are the existing technologies for improvement of shelf life of
products and how appropriate are they?
life of beef products
 Alternative technologies and their strengths and weaknesses
Improving
safety  How have the current FSMS and standards in beef influenced the quality of
beef in the markets?
management systems

What are the current FSMS, what is the level of adoption and factors?
quality and standards
influencing adoption
of beef
 What have been the successes and failures of safety management
systems?
Appropriate innovative
and
traditional
technologies for value
addition for cottage
industries
Appropriate
technologies for value
addition for formal
industry
Business training, credit
services,
insurance
breeds
consumer
tastes/preferences
Utilization of beef byproducts (hides, blood,
bones etc)
Enhancing
product
standards and policies
for improved market
access (Policies and
regulations, Inspection
and grading, Packaging,
Standards
Harmonization of non
tariff barriers)
Enhancing access to
and
utilization
of
market
information
(Packaging
market
information, Improving
actor communication
systems,
Designing
effective
market
information system)
Market development
(Input markets, Output
markets,
Market
linkages,
Financing
 What is value addition in the traditional context?
 What traditional VA technologies of commercial value exist?
 How to promote use of commercially viable traditional technologies and
innovations
 What is the range of beef products demanded by the market and what are
the marching technologies for these products?
 Improvement of efficiency of existing technologies for value addition
 What are the factors that limit value financing?
 How can investment priorities be made attractive to financing institutions?
 Appraise existing credit schemes for sustainability
 Market research on technologies for utilisation of by products
 Do existing policies and regulations support an enabling environment for (i)
livestock marketing in the region? (ii) investment plans in the livestock
sector?
 Are livestock value chain actors complying with product standards and
regulations intended to improve market access?
 What is the impact of non-tariff barriers on trade of livestock and livestock
products?
 What opportunities (incentives) exist in the region to enhance accessibility
of appropriate packaging technology for livestock products?
 What are the appropriate mechanisms for packaging and communicating
market information?
 What factors motivate utilization of market information by various actors
in the livestock value chain?
 What are appropriate transportation mechanisms for processed products?
 What potential opportunities exist for commercial feeds in the livestock
sector?
 What is the product – market combination of various livestock products?
marketing
chain  What market opportunities exist for livestock products? (Key issues may
include; feasibility assessment, buyer assessment, market access
activities,
Consumer
requirements and profiling potential markets).
preferences)
 What are consumer preferences for livestock products?(Also gender
analysis)
 What opportunities exist for financing livestock marketing activities?
 How effective are the existing mechanism for financing marketing
activities?
 Cross cutting issues
 Market dynamics
The task at hand was to identify at least 3 research focus with one research question per each
research focus which will be prioritized in 2015. This was done in group work. The following
research priorities were made for Uganda. In order of priority the stakeholders in Uganda
prioritized the four research focus below with subsequent research questions.
Research focus
Research questions
Improving the availability and • What are the most appropriate and sustainable water harvesting
quality of feed and water
and animal feed production methods in arid and semi-arid areas?
• How to enhance feed/pasture quality and availability through
indigenous and improved technologies in feed conservation/postharvest handling and crop livestock integration for sustainable
extensive livestock.
Breeding and improving the •
utilization
of
indigenous
animal genetic resources
•
Market development (input, •
markets, output markets, •
market linkages, financing
marketing chain activities,
consumer preferences
Preventing and controlling •
pests and diseases (common
and trans boundary diseases)
How to develop community based policy for artificial breeding and
utilization of indigenous animal genetic resources
What are the superior breeds, lines individuals for conservation
improvements and sustainability and utilization
Market research for technologies utilization of by products
What market opportunities exist for livestock products? (Key issues
may include; feasibility assessment, buyer assessment, market
access requirements and profiling potential markets).
How to develop or improve animal health services, policies and
technologies for surveillance preventing and controlling common or
trans -boundary diseases and pests for sustainable extensive beef
and dairy production in the region
How to address research questions
The groups were further asked to further look at the research questions in depth to analyze
how the research questions can be addressed and which stakeholders to involve. The task was
assigned to 4 groups each addressing one research priority focus. The was the feedback from
participants is outlined in the table below
Research focus
Research question
Improving the •
availability and
quality of feed
and water
•
What are the most appropriate
and
sustainable
water
harvesting and animal feed
production methods in arid and
semi-arid areas?
How to address research
question
 Construction of protected
valley dams at farm level to
limit movement of animals
and disease spread
 Promotion of land and water
management for quality
pasture
 Rain water harvesting on farm
 Construction of community
bore holes
 Wetland conservation
 Setting up of uphill dams,
shallow
wells,
promote
irrigation via gravity for feeds.
 Design
mechanisms
for
testing and treating water
harvested from technologies
promoted
How to enhance feed/pasture
quality and availability through 
indigenous
and
improved
technologies
in
feed 
conservation/post-harvest
handling and crop livestock
integration for sustainable
extensive livestock.


Who/actors
involved
Government,
farmers,
banks,
researchers, donors
Sensitization programs on Governments
feed and pasture quality
Provide/revive
extension
services at local level to
identify challenges affecting
farmers in terms of pasture
conservation and utilization
Provision of access to pasture
seed
Setting up on farm demos


Regulation of standards in
feed industry
finalize feed policy and
enforce guidelines for market

research
on
alternative Research
feeding ingredients to help institutions
farmers benefit profitably

development of drought
resistant forage varieties

contribute to the feed bill in
parliament

Train specialists in water Academia
harvesting
and
feed
technologies

Strengthen skills of farmers to Cooperative/farmer
secure inputs at subsidized organizations
levels

Promote investment on farm
in fodder production and
conservation

Utilization of agricultural and
industrial by products and
waste

Pasture
harvesting/paddocking
Farmers

Breeding and •
improving the
utilization
of
Check the stocking rate of
animals /carrying capacity
How to develop community Both Diary and beef
Farmers
based policy for artificial  Household level; farmers government,
breeding and utilization of
enhance selective breeding Farmer
indigenous
animal genetic
resources
•
indigenous animal genetic
resources
What are the superior breeds,
lines
individuals
for 
conservation
improvements
and
sustainability
and 
utilization
practice
of
available
indigenous breeds using ITK
with support for researchers.
AI should be promoted for
reducing disease transfer.
Stocking centres established
where improved breeds can
be selected
 improve records for semen
extraction; bull catalogues, farmers able to analyse traits
required.
 Training of farmers positioned
to decipher right bull semen
selection.
 Record keeping of breeds at
farm level e.g. birth weight,
birth date, disease resistance
etc.
 Introduction of policies on
distribution
of
stocking
material
 Formulation of by-laws to
regulate distribution and
transfer of bulls
 General management and
feeding of stock at farm level
 Checking
on
health
environment,
spraying,
capacity
building
and
research.
Important diseases of focus; ECF,
Foot and mouth, lumpy skin,
CBPP
• Study on current situation of
diagnostics and surveillance
and existing gaps
• Improve reporting on disease
outbreaks
• Response mechanisms for
disease outbreaks
• Curriculum
training
for
extension workers
organizations,
researchers
Preventing and 
controlling
pests
and
diseases
(common and
trans boundary
diseases)
How to develop or improve
animal health services, policies
and
technologies
for
surveillance preventing and
controlling common or trans boundary diseases and pests for
sustainable extensive beef and
dairy production in the region
Development
partners, Farmer
organizations,
governments,
researchers
and
farmers.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Market

development
(Input markets,
Output
Utilization of ITK
Development of disaster
response mechanisms
Mechanism for restricting of
animals effectively
Mechanisms to reinforce
mandatory registration and
identification of animals and
farmers
Improve extension system in
chain of command. Need to
have – specialized extension
experts in animal husbandry
officers as this will bridge the
training gap of extension
workers
Policy formulation to ensure
that the extension services of
the country are functional.
Improve disease free zones
Establishing and equipping
and animal lab for quick
diagnostics and community
animal clinics
Drug distribution and use
Research,
control
and
prevention of food safety
diseases
e.g.
bovine
tuberculosis,
aflatoxin
contamination etc.
Parasites control e.g. Vectors,
Production of vaccines locally
(thermal stable vaccines)
Training of farmers on disease
and pest control (village
health
team)
(animal
community health workers )
Curb of defective acaricides
and drugs in market
markets,
Market
linkages,
Financing
marketing chain
activities,
Consumer
preferences)
Conclusion
The livestock farmers in Uganda are interested in both dairy and beef value chains. However,
point to note is that there seems to be high incidences of water shortage especially in the
livestock areas of Uganda. It is therefore imperative that interventions address the water and
subsequently the feed/pasture situation within the farming communities. High incidences of
vectors is also characteristic based on the discussions which have subsequently let to vector
borne diseases e.g. East coast fever this has led to many cattle death and thus threatening
pastoral livelihoods. As a recommendation, in Uganda, more emphasis need to be placed within
the beef value chain and a reorientation towards the dairy value chain especially in relation to
provision of alternative feed for their cattle to increase productivity. It would be interesting to
develop 2 consortia dealing with beef and dairy value chains with focus on




Breeds for both dairy and beef farmers
Pasture and feed management and conservation
Pests and diseases incidences with focus on especially vectors spreading cattle diseases
Market development for input market as well as output market.
The meeting ended with a word of prayer from one of the stakeholders.
Programme: Uganda National Dialogue
Workshop 15th July 2015.
Time
8:00-9:00
Particulars
Arrival and registration of participants
Person in charge
EAFF
9:00-9:30 am
Introduction of participants
Caleb Guminsizira UCA
9:30-10:00
(5min each)
Opening remarks from UCA
Opening remarks from UNFFE
10:00-10:30: Tea/coffee break
Overview of PAEPARD & presentation of
EAFF livestock Strategy and research
priorities identified and rationale for
selection
Group work to prioritize research priorities
for farmers in Uganda
Plenary
UNFFE
UCA
10:30-11:00
11:00-11:30
11:30 -13:00
Goretti Gachagua
Goretti Gachagua
14:30-14:45
13:00:-14:00 Lunch break
Group work different sessions (farmers, UNFFE and UCA
researchers, business men, NGOs) what is
the most effective way to address research
questions prioritized with different
stakeholders and action plan.
Plenary session and discussions
14:45-15:45
Wrap up and way forward.
14:00-14:30
16:00-16:30 tea/coffee session
16:00 -16:30
Participants leave at their leisure.
Photo gallery
Participants during group work
Some participants during plenary session