Uganda is set to start exporting processed milk and coffee to Nigeria, following discussions between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
During Obasanjo’s visit to Uganda, the two leaders explored opportunities for economic cooperation, with a focus on boosting Uganda’s dairy and coffee sectors.
President Museveni hosted Obasanjo at Pearl Dairy Farms Limited in Mbarara City, where they reviewed Uganda’s capacity to produce 5.7 billion litres of milk annually.
Later, the two met with farmers from Kiruhura and Kazo districts at Kaaro in Kiruhura.
Obasanjo expressed Nigeria’s interest in purchasing Ugandan processed milk and coffee.
“I am here to explore how Nigeria can buy Ugandan milk and expand the production of processed milk and coffee,” he said, noting that Nigeria has been importing milk from Europe, despite Uganda’s substantial production capacity.
He further highlighted the lack of awareness among African nations about each other’s resources, commenting, “It’s only recently that I discovered Uganda is Africa’s net exporter of milk.”
President Museveni welcomed Obasanjo’s support and partnership, assuring him that Uganda has the capacity to meet both local and international demand for dairy products.
Museveni also encouraged farmers to adopt zero grazing methods and silage planting to improve farm profitability.
Museveni, alongside the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, also commissioned the upgraded Nshwere Church of Uganda, a project supported by Tororo Cement Company Limited.
Bright Rwamirama, Uganda’s Minister of State for Animal Industry, revealed that Uganda’s export value for dairy now stands at USD 264.5 million.
He also updated farmers on the government’s efforts to combat ticks, with the development of a tick vaccine in advanced stages.
