As Uganda prepares to celebrate Eid Adha on June 6, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has rolled out strict directives to ensure that meat sold across the country is safe for human consumption.
The directives, sanctioned by Minister Frank K. Tumwebaze, aim to protect consumers from health risks associated with consuming unsafe meat. The Ministry has issued several measures to ensure meat safety, including:
National Guidelines
This includes issuing comprehensive guidelines for the establishment of meat slaughter and handling facilities that specify strict health and safety standards.
Inspection Kits
The Ministry intends to distribute over 1,200 meat inspection kits to all sub-counties across the country to ensure safety for consumers.
Capacity Building
The Ministry plans to periodically retrain meat inspectors with modern, risk-based meat inspection skills.
Innovative Transport Solutions
Working with stakeholders, the Ministry urges meat dealers to develop specialised meat transportation vessels to ensure hygienic handling and transport of meat.
Regulatory Enforcement
To streamline the beef industry further, the Ministry shall mandate that operators of abattoirs and slaughterhouses comply with established design and hygienic standards.
Infrastructure Development
The Ministry has also invested in infrastructure development, including:
Constructing slaughterhouses and markets in various parts of the country, including the cattle corridor, plus,
Launching modern abattoirs, such as the one at Sanga, equipped with state-of-the-art transportation facilities and,
Establishing a comprehensive database of slaughter facilities across Uganda.
Private Sector Support
We have also established that the Ministry is working with the private sector to:
Establish Export Abattoirs
This will be achieved through assisting private companies to establish export abattoirs in districts such as Kazo, Luweero, and Nakasongola.
The Ministry also aims to boost both local and international trade by ensuring that meat products meet regulatory standards.
Animal Health and Welfare
In the same vein, the Ministry is prioritising animal health and welfare by:
Conducting Farm Inspections
The Ministry intends to conduct farm inspections and provide technical backstopping for feedlot farmers where need is identified.
Vaccination Programs
The Ministry also pledges to ensure that all animals are vaccinated against notifiable diseases like Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
The Ministry is, therefore, taking proactive steps to ensure meat safety in Uganda ahead of Eid Al-Adha celebrations and thereafter.
By issuing strict directives, investing in infrastructure development, and prioritising animal health and welfare, the Ministry of Agriculture expresses its commitment to protect consumers from health risks associated with consuming unsafe meat.