President Museveni has launched the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Meat and Beans Processing Plant in Kisozi, Gomba District, saying the new facility will expand Uganda’s industrial base, create markets for farmers and strengthen the country’s self-reliance in food production.
The factory, established through a partnership between the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and businessman Francis Ragwa, will process canned beef and beans for local consumption and export, while also supplying food rations to security agencies.
While commissioning the facility, Museveni said Uganda already has the production capacity needed to sustain the factory, arguing that what farmers need most is guaranteed access to markets.
“Once I am sure about the market, I can mobilise Ugandans to produce because the economics are correct. The stimulus for production is the market,” the President said.
He said the growth of Uganda’s coffee and dairy industries demonstrates how assured markets encourage farmers to increase production, adding that the same approach can transform the livestock sector.
Museveni revealed that Uganda’s cattle population has increased from about three million in 1986 to more than 16 million today, saying this provides enough livestock to support large-scale meat processing without affecting domestic supply.
He urged investors and government agencies to adopt production models that allow both commercial ranchers and smallholder farmers to benefit from the country’s growing value-addition industry.
The President also praised NEC and its private-sector partner for completing the project despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka said the factory marks a shift towards producing military food supplies within Uganda instead of relying on imports.
“For many years, a significant portion of our operational rations, such as canned beef and beans, was imported. With this plant, the UPDF is transitioning towards self-sufficiency,” Kiwanuka said.
He pledged that the Ministry of Defence would buy products from the factory and encouraged other government entities to prioritise locally manufactured goods.
NEC Managing Director Lt Gen James Mugira said the project was initiated in 2019 to establish a modern food processing plant capable of supplying canned beef and beans to the UPDF, Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service.
He said the investment will reduce Uganda’s import bill, strengthen food security and shield the country from disruptions in global supply chains.
Factory Managing Director Francis Ragwa said Uganda should move beyond exporting raw beef and instead build an international brand around its world-famous Ankole cattle.
“We can no longer sell beef simply as a commodity. We must tell our story and market the uniqueness of Uganda’s cattle heritage,” Ragwa said.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Finance Minister Henry Musasizi, Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze, Trade Minister Sanjay Tana, senior UPDF officers, Members of Parliament and other government officials.
