July 3, 2014

Uganda's UMPCU to build modern cattle abattoir

In an effort to boost the country's beef quality and exports, the Uganda Meat Producers Cooperative Union (UMPCU) Ltd plans to build a multi-billion abattoir at Butalangu in Nakaseke district.

UMPCU has secured US$7.5 million with the support from Norwegian beef and poultry giant Nortura SA, the Uganda government and a partnership with the private sector.

Nortura SA and the 2,617 members from UMPCU are the majority stakeholders in the project. The facility will include an abattoir complex, a ranch, and a hides and skins treatment section, among others. When operational, the facility is expected to slaughter 100 head of cattle per day.

Turkey, Egypt and the Middle East Arab nations are some of target destinations for the meat export from the facility.

CEO of UMPCU, Joshua Waiswa said that they had already acquired 32 acres of land and construction would begin before August.

Last year, Uganda's exports of beef, milk and dairy products amounted to US$20 million. The country's cattle herd has grown from 11 million head in 2008 to 14 million head now.

Currently, animals slaughtered in Kampala abattoirs are being transported under crude conditions for long distances from the cattle corridor, which stretches from Karamoja through Teso, Luweero, Nakaseke, Mbarara to Ntungamo in western Uganda. Under the project, livestock farmers in the cattle corridor will receive assistance in disease control, easy access to financial services and coordinated supply to the markets.