Immediate Release

Thursday May 13th, 2021

Busukuma, WAKISO

“Uganda’s Livestock Research is the comparable to none in Africa and ahead of Norway and Holland,” says HE Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has today, through its Research Agency, NARO – NaLIRRI hosted the President of Guinea, Prof. Alpha Conde in Nakyesasa. The Head of State was in Uganda to witness the inauguration of President Museveni for his next term 2021-2026.

President Conde’s visit follows the outcome of HE President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni visit to Guinea in 2018 where it was agreed that the two countries would collaborate in Agricultural Research, Production and marketing in the sector. 

Hon Vincent Ssempijja, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries said that the Livestock sector was focused on three key areas for effective management of the sector and these included; animal health, livestock nutrition and livestock breeds

The National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI) is one of the sixteen, public agricultural research institutes under the policy and strategic guidance of NARO and is mandated to conduct research and develop technologies for improved productivity and competitiveness of the livestock sub-sector. The Institute is host to the Regional Animal Health Diagnostics Laboratory that serves the sub-Saharan African region in rapid diagnostics of animal diseases. The institute is home for an innovatively designed intensive zero waste dairy platform, demonstrating opportunities for processing of cattle dung into high value products including bio-methane (purified biogas), bio-electricity, organic pesticides, liquid soap and livestock feed.  

 “There is nothing to envy about livestock production in Norway and Holland. What I have seen here is way above what I saw in Norway and Holland. I also visited Morocco and thought that their livestock production system was most advanced in Africa, but from I have seen, Uganda is ahead,” H.E Alpha Conde said  

While on the visit, President Conde was told that the Scientists are in the advanced stages of animal disease management for some of the most prevalent diseases including; Foot and Mouth Disease, Ticks and African Swine Fever. The development of Anti tick vaccine is in advanced stages and NARO intends to roll out the vaccine for validation by farmers in September of 2021. 

The visiting Head of State was shown the intensive zero waste dairy production system which ensures that all the waste in form of urine and dung is put to use through production of high value products including bio-methane (purified biogas), bio-electricity, organic pesticides, liquid soap, organic fertilizer and livestock feed.  

 “The intensive zero waste dairy production concept will be replicated across the country in the different agro-ecological zones,” the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Hon. Vincent Ssempijja revealed at the event. 

H. E Alpha Conde said that he would send his scientists to Uganda to learn more within a month thereby activating the collaboration between the two countries through their respective Ministries of Agriculture in the three key areas of livestock breeds, animal health and animal nutrition. ENDS.

NARO is one of the 7 implementing agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. It has a mandate to coordinate, oversee and guide agricultural research in Uganda in the areas of crop, livestock, fisheries, forestry including priority crops. NARO has 16 Public Agricultural Research Institutes under its policy guidance.

For more information, please contact:

Charlotte Kemigyisha

charlotte.kemigyisha@agriculture.go.ug or 0757779992