By Mulengera Reporters
Available projections indicate that in 20 years from now, global demand for livestock-sourced food will have more than doubled. It’s also true that the contribution of livestock production-related activities to Uganda’s GDP (currently at mere 4%) will, by 2050, have greatly increased. And within the same period, the consumption of livestock products in Uganda and elsewhere in the developing world, will have more than tripled. All this demonstrate why the livestock sub sector can’t be ignored anymore.
Livestock production also directly impacts on food security within Uganda, the developing world and globally. All these combine to require the GoU to design appropriate interventions on how the livestock sub sector can be facilitated to become even more productive and attractive to a lot more people than is currently the case.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) statistics indicate that Uganda has a total of 9.3m households and of these, 6.8m (73%) are involved in livestock farming of some sort whereby they at least keep one-six animals if not more. This was the case as at June 2021 when the latest National Livestock Census (NLC) for Uganda was last conducted. The results were proclaimed in Kampala last month making them official GoU statistics.
Similar activity (namely NLC) was first carried out in Uganda in 1962-1965, followed by one in 1990-1991 and 3rd one in 2008. This NLC is a very important exercise because the resultant statistics vitally enables effective policy formulation and decision-making by government. It’s only through such census (which is also a global requirement) that government gets to know about livestock characteristics plus the nature of farm infrastructure, machinery, management and gender-related dynamics in the livestock sub sector which in Uganda’s case is chiefly spearheaded by National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB), a statutory semi-autonomous GoU agency under the Agriculture Ministry (MAAIF). 
CURRENT ANIMAL POP’N:
The latest National Livestock Census report (2021) makes significant findings about the state of livestock in Uganda. The findings depict the progress that the livestock sub sector, which by law is being spearheaded by NAGRC & DB (a GoU agency under MAAIF), has made in the previous decade preceding 2021.
The census that covered all regions, sub regions and 135 districts of Uganda, was conducted by Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) closely working with the Ministry of Agriculture (MAAIF). Between 24th May and 4th June 2021, the livestock census teams interacted with owners or managers of household-based farms, private large scale farms and institutional farms. The information and data that was subsequently captured gives the most up to date picture of how many cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chicken, rabbits, camels and donkeys etc Uganda currently has.
The census findings depict which type of livestock is more prevalent in which region, sub region and district of Uganda. The report also shows that more adult Ugandan males are involved in the livestock farming than females. This is what it reads like: 4.5m (66%) of livestock-keeping households are headed by males as compared to 2.3m (34%) which are female-headed households. And remarkably, 1.4m (20%) households involved in some form of livestock farming are headed by youths or young people aged between 18 and 30. 
THE DETAILS:
On cattle population, the NLC report shows that Uganda has 14.5m cattle as opposed to 2008’s 11.4m. This reflects growth or increase in number of cattle of 27% in the period of 12 years preceding 2021. 77% are indigenous cattle and the remaining 23% is exotic or cross bred cattle. Western and Eastern regions of Uganda have the highest number of cattle-3.3m each which amounts to 23%. Buganda region has 3m (21%), Northern region (Karamoja inclusive) has 2.4m (which is 17% of the national herd).
When it comes to the exotic cattle or crossbred ones, Ankole sub region dominates with 1.1m (33%), followed by Buganda North (741,000 or 22.3%) and Buganda South (633,000 or 19%). The following regions have least or lowest numbers of crossbred cattle: Bukedi, Teso, Acholi, Karamoja, Lango and West Nile. Their combined total doesn’t even come to 0.5% of the country’s total number of exotic or cross bred cattle. When it comes to districts, the following have the highest number of cattle: Kotido (718,000), Amudat (677,000), Kaabong (490,000) and Kiruhura (402,000).
MILK PRODUCTION:
Cattle are kept for either beef or milk production about which the NLC report says the following: the country produces 72m liters per week and 3.7bn liters annually as of 2021. This reflects huge increase from 2008’s 667.5m liters.
When it comes to regions, Western Uganda produces the highest milk quantities at 40% followed by Buganda (34.3%) and the least milk-producing region of Uganda is Northern doing just 3.7% of the 3.7bn liters produced annually. Ankole sub region alone annually produces 1.2bn liters followed by Buganda South (668.3m liters) and Buganda North (610.5m). Acholi sub region produces the lowest at just 45.3m liters per year. 
https://www.mtac.ac.ug/courses/diploma-courses
https://www.mtac.ac.ug/courses/certificate-courses
https://www.mtac.ac.ug/courses/vocational-courses
https://www.mtac.ac.ug/courses/short-courses
GOATS NUMBERS:
As at June 2021, Uganda had a total of 17.4m goats compared to 2008’s 12.4m. This is reflective of 39.4% growth in just 12 years. Indigenous goats account for 97.2% and the exotic ones or crossbred only account for 2.8%. Regionally, Western region dominates with 4.6m (26.3%) followed by Northern region (4.1m or 23.4%). When it comes to districts, the following have the highest numbers of goats: Amudat (1.1m), Kaabong (515,000), Kotido (492,000) and Isingiro (422,000).
SHEEP POP’N:
As for sheep, the whole country has 4.4m up from 2008’s 3.4m. This reflects growth of 28%. Of these sheep, 98.2% are indigenous compared to exotic/crossbred ones at 1.8%. Karamoja sub region has the highest number of sheep at 1.8m (40.4%), followed by Western Uganda (900,000 or 21%). Teso sub region has 405,000 (9.3%) and West Nile 398,000 (9.1%). At 55,000 (1.3%), Busoga sub region is among sub regions with the lowest number of sheep besides Bukedi which stands at 65,000 sheep which translates into 1.5% of the national herd.
PIGS POPULATION:
Between 2008 and 2021, Uganda’a pig population grew from 3.2m to 7.1m reflecting a growth of 123%. When it comes to regions, Buganda has 2.3m (32%) tying with Western Uganda at 2.3m pigs. Karamoja sub region has the lowest number of pigs at 82,000 which accounts for 1.2% of the national total. Buganda South has 1.2m pigs (17.2%), Buganda North 1.1m (15%) and Bunyoro 700,000 (10.5%)). Bukedi has just 22,000 pigs (or 3.2%).
When it comes to districts, Wakiso and Mukono have the highest concentration of pigs standing at 426,000 and 231,000 respectively. Kagadi district is in 3rd position with 195,000 pigs as at June 2021.
When it comes to chicken, Uganda currently has 57.8m of them compared to 37.4m which prevailed as of 2008. This is reflective of growth of 55%. Indigenous chicken accounts for 70% and exotics 30%. Regionally, Buganda dominates with 20.7m (36%) followed by Eastern Uganda with 15.8m (27.3%). Karamoja has the lowest number of chicken at 1.4m (3%).
Sub regionally, Buganda South has 11.2m (19%), Buganda North 9.5m (16%) and Busoga 5.6m (10.1%). Some of the Ugandan sub regions with the lowest number of chicken include Kigezi 1m (1.8%) and Karamoja with 1.5m (2.6%). As for districts, Wakiso tops with 5.6m birds, followed by Mukono’s 3.4m and Luwero’s 1.4m.
RABBITS, CAMELS & DONKEYS:
The UBOS NLC report also captures the number of rabbits in Uganda. They are 2.2m rabbits in the country compared to 2008’s 373,000. The sub regions stand as follows when it comes to rabbits: Buganda South has the highest at 499,000 (22%) followed by Ankole 393,000 (18%) and Tooro 272,000 (12.2%). The least rabbit-rearing sub-regions of Uganda include Karamoja (3,000 or 0 .1%) and Lango 31,000 (1.4%).
When it comes to districts, Wakiso tops with 236,000 rabbits followed by Kasese (75,000), Ntungamo (72,000) and Bunyangabu (71,000). As for the pack animals such as donkeys and camels, the NLC report reads as follows: the country as at June 2021 had 63,000 donkeys (compared to 2008’s 144,000). This reflects a decline of 56%. And as for the camels, Uganda as at June 2021, when the livestock census was conducted, had just 12,000. Karamoja has the highest number of donkeys at 46,000 and camels at 10,000.
The UBOS very comprehensive NLC report (it has over 700 pages) also captures stuff on beehives farming which too is an aspect of livestock farming. As at 2021, Uganda had a total of 2.6m beehives compared to 2008’s 747,000. This is reflective of growth of 50% which is commendable. Colonized hives as at 2021 stood at 1.8m and this comprised 72% of all beehives in Uganda. The same report also highlights some of the bad areas relating to livestock farming in Uganda which requires improvement and urgent intervention. But that we shall deal with some other day in our subsequent coverage of the voluminous NLC report.
CONTEXTUALIZING THE REPORT:
But all these growing numbers of livestock as captured in the UBOS report above haven’t just happened. It has resulted from deliberate initiatives and efforts which the Agriculture Ministry has been and continues to undertake through the mandated GoU agency called NAGRC & DB.
Hereunder is a reflection on some of the things that the MAAIF-based NAGRC has been doing over the years and thereby enabling growth in Uganda’s livestock numbers:
Charged with leaping forward Uganda’s Livestock Development Vision, NAGRC and Agriculture Ministry have been deliberately working towards transforming Uganda’s livestock sector. The steps taken have included extending support to livestock farmers especially at household level to harness their capabilities. In line with its mandate, NAGRC&DB (a statutory semi-autonomous Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries MAAIF) has spearheaded the development and enhancement of animal genetic productivity and commercialization of associated livestock products in the entire Uganda.
The NAGRC & DB Executive Director says that the impressive growth and transformation depicted in the NLC report speak to the capable leadership at the parent Ministry of MAAIF and that at NAGRC as well. Speaking moments after the latest NLC report was proclaimed, the ED endeavored to explain how this huge transformation and steady growth has been made possible in the livestock sub sector.
“To begin with, NAGRC has put in place strategic programmes aimed at stimulating livestock productivity growth. These programmes include (a) The National Rabbit Breeding Programme, (b) the Poultry Development Unit, (c) the Semen Production, (d) packaging, (e) Storage and Distribution Unit, (f) the Liquid Nitrogen Distribution Unit, (g) the National Pig Breeding Programme, (h) the Assisted Reproductive Technologies Unit, (i) the Conservation Gene Bank, (j) the National Animal Genetic Evaluation & Testing Centre and (k) the National Small Ruminants Breeding Programme,” the Executive Director elaborated. “Secondly, under these Programmes, the Agency runs a total of fifteen (15) regionally-distributed Centre farms and ranches with specific livestock production and breeding objectives for production of superior breeding stock. This all accessible to farming communities at subsidized rates.”
The Center Farms include Rubona Stock Farm in Bunyangabu, Maruzi Ranch in Apac, Aswa Ranch in Pader and Lamwo, Got Apwoyo Ranch in Nwoya, Kasolwe Stock Farm in Kamuli, Njeru Stock Farm in Buikwe, Lusenke Stock Farm in Kayunga, Bulago Stock Farm in Bulambuli, the Livestock Experimentation Station and the National Bull Stud in Entebbe. Others are Ruhengyere Ranch in Kiruhura, the National Poultry and Piggery Development Centre in Wakiso, Nshaara Ranch in Kiruhura and Sanga Stock Farm in Kiruhura.
HOW IT WORK: The above illustrated support structure and outreach network has enabled NAGRC to implement and track productivity indicators while aligning the same to the country’s long term development aspirations as enshrined under the National Development Plan. The following presentation further illustrates how the various NAGRC initiatives have enabled qualitative and quantitative growth in animal numbers as was corroborated in the latest NLC report by UBOS:
Regarding cattle, NAGRC runs and manages Uganda’s nationally-accredited Bull Stud for production, packaging, storage and distribution of semen from selected bulls possessing the desired genetic traits. In collaboration with other development partners and stakeholders, NAGRC also conducts training programs aimed at equipping animal scientists with necessary skills required to effectively administer Artificial Insemination (AI) procedures. This has helped to address would-be personnel-related constraints while at the same time improving on access and AI technicians to farmers ratio. Artificial Insemination, and other Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs), is vitally important because it’s the surest way to increase animal production and productivity. These two continue to enable farmers to efficiently breed animals for improved genetic traits and higher quality off springs besides increased yields.
The GoU Ranches and Centre Farms, which NAGRC manages, maintains and oversees, serve as the primary source of livestock breeding seed in the form of live animals, hybrid semen and embryos among others. The breeding stock has over the years boosted small holder farmers’ capacity to sustainably establish profitable livestock enterprises besides maintaining Uganda’s genetic diversity which NAGRC has ensured is continuously replenished.
In order to mitigate against constraints revealed in the 2021 Census Report (partly exemplified by the fact that over 50% of Uganda’s livestock-keeping households are small holder farmers with limited financial muscle which constrains purchase of high-yielding pure bred animals), NAGRC&DB has over the years ensured and enabled large number of farmers to access high-yielding dairy animals through importation of live pure breed animals such as Guernsey, Ayrshire, Holstein Friesian and Jersey. These have always been distributed to household-based livestock farms through a network of government Centre Farms-and indeed thousands of farmers have benefited and continue to be impacted.
The same NAGRC&DB recently deepened it’s reach and relevancy by bolstering its embryo transfer services programme through acquisition of new mobile laboratory which continues to be available and accessible by both private and public breeding farms. This has significantly increased embryo production for the benefit of livestock farmers across the country. These embryos have been transferred to local animals leading to the development of tropicalized and well-adapted purebred stock.
It’s because of these NAGRC-spearheaded initiatives that the latest livestock census report shows that the national total for the different livestock population has steadily been and continues to grow including cattle whose population had, as of June 2021, hit 14.5m (reflecting an increase of 27.2% compared to 2008’s 11.4m). Indigenous cattle breeds, as indicated in the NLC report, stands at 11.2m (as of 2021) compared to 2008’s 10.6m. The same report depicts exotic/crossbred population to have grown to 3.3m compared to 2008’s 700,000.
Yet that isn’t all. The NLC report also shows that 2.3m (or 33%) households (out of 6.8m) were involved in livestock-keeping as of 2021. The average cattle herd size is also being put at 6 heads of cattle per household. Western and Eastern regions of Uganda are shown to have the highest number of cattle-3.3m which amounts to 23%. Buganda region has 3m (21%) and Northern region (Karamoja inclusive) has 2.4m (which is 17% of the national herd).
When it comes to the exotic cattle or crossbred ones, Ankole sub region dominates with 1.1m (33%), followed by Buganda North (741,000 or 22.3%) and Buganda South (633,000 or 19%). The following regions have least or lowest numbers of crossbred cattle: Bukedi, Teso, Acholi, Karamoja, Lango and West Nile. Their combined total doesn’t even come to 0.5% of the country’s total number of exotic or cross bred cattle. When it comes to districts, the following have the highest number of cattle: Kotido (718,000), Amudat (677,000), Kaabong (490,000) and Kiruhura (402,000). The above referenced multiple initiatives have also impacted the dairy sub sector to the extent of registering a fivefold increase in milk production from 2008’s 667.5m liters to the 3.7bn liters Uganda was producing as at June 2021.
With the latest NLC report indicating positive growth for the different aspects of livestock farming, clearly, things can only get better with better technologies being introduced plus the possibility of enlarged funding coming to the sub sector. And going forward, the NAGRC&DB management has demonstrated determination to become more deliberate while putting in place additional appropriate mechanisms to consolidate the above referenced achievements so that the livestock sub sector becomes even more efficient while contributing to Uganda’s economic transformation aspirations as enshrined in the NRM Manifesto, the National Development Plan and the Vision 2040 from which it all derives. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [whatsapp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at [email protected]).
