Minister Rwamirama launches UDB-funded Dairy Processing Cooperative firm
The Minister of State for Animal Industry, Hon. Bright Rwamirama has launched a mini dairy processing plant in Kiboga District as part of government’s efforts to promote value addition for agricultural produce.
The Minister presided over the opening of a plant operated by Dwaniro Dairy and Livestock Cooperative Society which will produce yogurt and cheese. The event attended by members of the Cooperative, local leaders and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector was held last week at the Dwaniro Dairy and Livestock Cooperative Society premises in Bukomero sub-county, Kiboga District.
At the launch, the Minister revealed that Dwaniro was chosen among the eight farmer Cooperatives that will be supported by government, due to its exemplary practices.
“I want to congratulate Dwaniro Cooperative. We give this support to deserving Cooperatives. What remains now is for you to sustainably run this factory and make sure you expand. Government has given you a starting point,” Hon. Rwamirama urged the members and management team of the Cooperative.
Adding that; “Modern farming is not about how many cattle you have, rather the rate of productivity. Focus should be on rearing better cattle breeds especially those that are resilient to our local weather.”
Mr. Kwesigabo Johnson, the Board Chairman for Dwaniro Dairy and Livestock Cooperative Society, described the launch of the processing plant as a milestone for the Cooperative.
“We shall be able to process 4,000 liters of milk daily. And it is a very important symbol for us as farmers, that things can happen. That we can add value, go on the market and have a product that can be accepted,” Mr. Kwesigabo remarked.
“Uganda Development Bank (UDB) has been our main financier for the Cooperative. Individually, the farmers are too small to take advantage of the funding facilities in UDB. What we do, we borrow as a cooperative and we can lend this money in small amounts to the farmers.”
The farmers have used the loans to buy high quality animals, to provide water by constructing valley dams and to improve their pastures.
Kwesigabo reported to the Minister that the Cooperative Society has been very compliant in servicing the three rounds of credit facilities – UGX400 million, UGX800 million and UGX1.5 billion – provided by Uganda Development Bank.
“And this confidence we have from UDB has been one of our encouraging strengths to move to where we are,” he said.Beyond extending loans, UDB also supports Cooperatives by providing them with business advisory services. Out of the UGX610 billion that UDB disbursed to various projects last year, 30.6 percent (UGX187 billion) went into projects agro-industrialization.
Enterprises supported by UDB contributed approximately UGX236 billion in direct domestic taxes in 2023 with manufacturing making up 47% of this, agro-processing 27.9% and primary agriculture 15%.
At least 51,841 jobs were created and maintained from the Bank-funded projects. Of these jobs, a significant share (39%) was under primary agriculture, 32% in agro-processing and 16% in manufacturing.
Dwaniro Dairy and Livestock Cooperative Society started in 2009 with only 15 members collecting 2,000 liters of milk daily but has since expanded to bulking over 35,000 liters of milk daily. Though the current membership stands at 400, the Cooperative serves over 800 farmers in Bukomero.
The bulk, about 80 percent, of the milk produced by the farmers in the community is procured by Jesa, a leading dairy processing company that produces fresh milk, Extended Shelf Life (ESL) milk, Flavoured milk yoghurt, Butters, Bonga Yoghurt and cream.
Dwaniro is part of the eight mini dairy processing plants that government has helped establish, the others being in Kyankwanzi, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Kabale and Kabarole districts.
The Cooperative is only one of the 45,000 Cooperatives that are currently registered in Uganda with over 18 million members. The Minister urged the Cooperative to identify representatives who will be trained by the Ministry of Agriculture in artificial insemination as part of initiatives to support farmers increase their livestock productivity. The Ministry will provide the trainees with the necessary equipment.
“I want to stress the issue of handling the milk with the highest standards. The international market is very keen on quality.”
Quoting the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, the Minister said a normal person’s average consumption of milk should be 200 liters each year.
“But in Uganda, our average consumption level is 64 liters which is very low. Since we don’t consume the milk we produce, we must find market for it elsewhere, but this requires high standards,” Hon. Rwamirama concluded.The event was also attended by Dr. Samuel Mugasi, the Executive Director National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), Samson Mpiira, the Executive Director Dairy Development Authority
https://theinsider.ug/index.php/2024/11/07/minister-rwamirama-launches-udb-funded-dairy-processing-cooperative-firm/
News
Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
News
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum