KAMPALA — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has welcomed proposals aimed at strengthening Uganda’s livestock genetics industry and tackling the growing problem of counterfeit agricultural inputs following a meeting with South African businessman Andile Ramaphosa and his delegation at Nakasero State Lodge.
The delegation paid a courtesy call on the President and presented plans for collaboration with the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) and the Regional Service Centre Initiative at Namunkekera Farm.
According to President Museveni, the proposals focus on strengthening the regulated breeding, harvesting and export of superior Ankole cattle genetics to countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other international markets.
“Mr Andile Ramaphosa and his team paid me a courtesy call this afternoon at Nakasero State Lodge. They presented proposals for collaboration with NAGRC and the Regional Service Centre Initiative at Namunkekera Farm aimed at strengthening the regulated breeding, harvesting and export of Ankole cattle genetics to the SADC region and beyond,” President Museveni said in a statement shared on his official social media platforms.
The initiative seeks to capitalise on Uganda’s renowned Ankole cattle breed, which is prized for its hardiness, adaptability and distinctive long horns. Under the proposal, Uganda would work with private investors to expand breeding programmes, harvest and preserve superior genetics, and increase exports of semen and breeding stock to regional and global markets.
The discussions also focused on addressing the challenge of counterfeit agricultural inputs, which experts say continue to undermine agricultural productivity and farmer incomes across the country.
Ramaphosa’s team proposed establishing a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) laboratory to test and verify the quality of seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides entering the Ugandan market. The facility would help authorities identify counterfeit products and strengthen enforcement mechanisms against fraudulent suppliers.
Studies by agricultural stakeholders have estimated that counterfeit seeds account for between 30 and 50 percent of seeds sold in some markets, while counterfeit pesticides represent more than 60 percent of products available to farmers, significantly affecting crop yields and household incomes.
President Museveni welcomed the proposals and pledged government support for initiatives that contribute to Uganda’s development agenda.
“I welcome these ideas, and I thank them for their initiative. The Government will study the proposals and support initiatives that advance Uganda’s socio-economic transformation,” he said.
The meeting also highlighted the longstanding relationship between the Museveni and Ramaphosa families. In 2004, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly acquired 43 Ankole cattle from President Museveni, a herd that has since grown and contributed to the promotion of the breed in South Africa.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Uganda’s economy, employing the majority of the population and contributing significantly to export earnings. Government officials have increasingly emphasised livestock genetics, value addition and quality assurance in agricultural inputs as key pillars for boosting productivity and increasing farmers’ incomes.
If implemented, the proposed partnership could position Uganda as a major regional hub for livestock genetics while strengthening efforts to eliminate counterfeit agricultural products from the market.
