Evelyn Anite, the State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization, declared Uganda’s goal to increase its beef exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other regional markets. She underlined that in order to accomplish this, rigorous adherence to internationally advised standards is required.
During a visit at Ranchers Finest, a Kampala-based meat processing facility in Uganda, Anite said these things.
She gave Ranchers Finest’s staff praise for their response to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s request for value addition.
Anite said, “I am ecstatic about Ranchers’ value addition; they are making over 100 products.”
She went on to say, “We are serving the regional market, Egypt, and soon, the UAE,” expressing her faith that their high-quality items will match international standards. But unless we uphold halal standards and cleanliness, we are unable to enter these markets.
“I have encouraged them to showcase their products, and I can assure you that any government agency or department that needs them will secure them,” Anite said, assuring Ranchers Finest of full government backing.
She conveyed her confidence that Ranchers Finest will effectively satisfy the global demand for Ugandan beef.
According to Ranchers Finest CEO Collin Muyanja, the company intends to develop by constructing a second processing facility in order to satisfy rising demand.
Because of its low cholesterol content, Ugandan beef is highly sought after both locally and internationally, according to Muyanja, who emphasized the superior quality of Ugandan beef.
“We are already working with out-growers and targeting youth and women through our route-to-market program, including kiosks that provide both employment and entrepreneurial opportunities,” he said, highlighting the company’s efforts to create over 5,000 jobs.
We currently employ 195 people, of whom 112 are men and 83 are women. Additionally, we have generated nearly 2,000 indirect jobs,” he said.
Muyanja expressed his happiness that Ranchers Finest had been recognized by the government and emphasized the significance of local businesses in attaining value addition in Uganda’s agriculture industry.
“This demonstrates that a locally owned business led by Ugandans is capable of manufacturing goods that are approved and acknowledged globally,” he continued.
He did, however, voice concern about the difficulties presented by international certifications, such as halal certificates, which have hampered the export of beef to countries like the United Arab Emirates.
Ugandan exporters faced obstacles when the UAE insisted on using its own authorized criteria instead of the ones first adopted by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.
Muyanja demanded that the government intervene, clear up any ambiguity surrounding the halal standards suppliers, and simplify the bureaucratic procedures to make certification more accessible.
