By Henry Okurut
The Ugandan government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), has launched a comprehensive initiative to guarantee the production and consumption of hygienic and safe meat across the country.
This move underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health by modernizing abattoirs and slaughterhouses and establishing stringent policies for proper meat handling.
In a statement released to newsrooms, MAAIF highlighted its collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, District Local Governments, the Ministry of Health, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), and various development partners.
This collective effort aims to prevent food-borne diseases and zoonoses diseases transmissible between animals and humans by ensuring that all meat slaughter facilities, both public and private, comply with public health standards set by UNBS.
The regulations also focus on minimizing environmental pollution through proper waste management and ensuring the humane treatment of animals destined for slaughter.
These measures are expected to lead to high-quality meat products suitable for both local consumption and international trade.
Dr. Henry Nakalet Opolot, Acting Permanent Secretary at MAAIF, emphasized that the government’s investment in abattoir infrastructure is driven by a commitment to public health and food safety.
“By enforcing rigorous standards and modernizing our meat inspection processes, we are ensuring that Ugandan consumers enjoy safe, high-quality meat products while also enhancing international trade opportunities,” he stated.
The initiative encompasses a holistic approach that combines infrastructure development, capacity building, and stringent regulatory oversight to transform Uganda’s meat production and public health landscape.
Key Measures Implemented:
- Guidelines for Meat Facilities: Issuance of comprehensive guidelines for establishing meat slaughter and handling facilities, specifying strict health and safety standards.
- Inspection Kits Distribution: Distribution of over 1,200 meat inspection kits to all sub-counties across the country.
- Training for Inspectors: Periodic retooling of meat inspectors with modern, risk-based meat inspection skills.
- Innovative Transport Solutions: Development of specialized meat transportation vessels, mounted on motorcycles, to ensure hygienic handling and transport of meat.
- Regulatory Enforcement: Mandating that operators of abattoirs and slaughterhouses comply with established design and hygienic standards, with non-compliant facilities facing legal penalties. A standard design for medium-scale slaughterhouses is available and can be customized as needed.
- Regular Supervision: Conducting both periodic and impromptu inspections of meat slaughter facilities and the practices of meat handlers. Providing technical guidance and registration assistance in collaboration with district local governments. Promoting awareness campaigns via radio talk shows and other media platforms to educate the public on the benefits of consuming safe meat.
Infrastructure Development:
Under the National Livestock Productivity Improvement Program (NALPIP 2004–2012), 25 slaughterhouses and 23 livestock markets were constructed in the cattle corridor.
Similarly, the Regional Livelihood Pastoral Resilience Project, a World Bank-funded initiative (2014–2019), established additional slaughterhouses, markets, quarantine stations, border checkpoints, and complementary infrastructure in the Karamoja, Teso, and Sebei sub-regions.
To complement these efforts, the Market Oriented and Environmentally Sustainable Beef Meat Industry in Uganda, a European Union-funded initiative (2015–2020), saw the launch of a modern abattoir at Sanga, equipped with state-of-the-art transportation facilities.
Private sector support has also been instrumental, with assistance provided to private companies to establish export abattoirs in districts such as Kazo, Luweero, and Nakasongola, boosting both local and international trade.
A comprehensive database of slaughter facilities across Uganda has been established to monitor and support these initiatives.
Animal Health and Farm Inspections:
To ensure the supply of healthy, well-grown animals to slaughter facilities, the government is conducting farm inspections and providing technical support for feedlot farmers. Additionally, all animals are to be vaccinated against notifiable diseases like Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) to support both animal and public health.
Through these concerted efforts, Uganda aims to significantly reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, minimize environmental impacts, and align its meat production standards with international trade requirements.
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