The Minister of State for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama, has urged animal drug manufacturers in Uganda to invest heavily in research, innovation, and technology in order to produce high-quality and effective veterinary products that can sustainably support the country’s livestock industry.
Rwamirama made the remarks while officiating at an event organised by ERAM Uganda Limited, one of the leading local manufacturers of veterinary drugs and animal health products, as the company celebrated thirty years of service in Uganda’s animal industry recently.
The Minister commended ERAM for its immense contribution to the growth of the livestock sector over the past three decades, noting that the company’s consistent production of high-quality drugs has helped improve animal health, increase milk production, and boost export earnings from livestock and dairy products.
“We thank ERAM for supporting the animal industry for the last thirty years. Your innovations have contributed to improved productivity, better disease control, and increased dairy production, which has translated into higher export returns,” Rwamirama said.
He emphasized that research and innovation have long been dominated by the public sector, especially through institutions such as the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO). However, he expressed his satisfaction that private sector players are now actively participating and partnering with the government to develop new technologies and products for the animal industry.
“We are happy as a government to see private companies joining hands with public institutions like NARO to drive innovation. Such partnerships are crucial for promoting the livestock sector and ensuring that Uganda remains competitive both regionally and globally,” he added.
Rwamirama noted that the government recognizes the livestock sector as one of the key drivers of Uganda’s agricultural transformation and rural development. He explained that innovation and creativity within the animal industry have significantly increased the country’s capacity to process and add value to dairy products.
“Due to continuous innovation and research, Uganda’s dairy production has grown tremendously over the years. In 1990, the country produced only about 750,000 litres of milk annually. Today, we produce 5.3 billion litres per year,” he said. “We have also moved from having just one factory to over 168 medium and large-scale milk processing plants, with a combined capacity of processing more than 4 million litres of milk daily.”
Rwamirama revealed that as a result of this progress, export earnings from dairy products have shot up to $365m, making dairy one of Uganda’s top agricultural export earners.
The Minister also took the opportunity to encourage young people to take advantage of opportunities within the agricultural sector, which remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy.
He noted that the youth should shift their perception of agriculture from being a traditional way of life to viewing it as a modern, profitable, and innovative enterprise.
“As we move through different stages of economic transformation, we must ensure that the youth are fully engaged. I encourage them to look at agriculture not as a last resort but as a source of decent employment and wealth creation,” he advised.
He emphasized that with the right skills and access to modern technologies, young Ugandans can venture into livestock farming, agro-processing, and veterinary services to create jobs for themselves and others.
Rwamirama applauded ERAM’s resilience, commitment to quality, and contribution to national development, pledging continued government support to manufacturers who invest in research and innovation.
“Government remains committed to supporting local industries that prioritize quality and innovation. Together, we can strengthen Uganda’s position as a regional hub for animal production and agro-industrial development,” the Minister concluded.
On his part, Edward Muhigirwa, the Managing Director of ERAM Industries Limited, expressed gratitude to the government for creating a favourable business environment that has enabled local manufacturers to thrive.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s animal industry through the production of quality veterinary medicines, capacity building, and job creation.
“At ERAM, we are not only focused on manufacturing high-quality drugs to support the animal industry, but we are also passionate about empowering young people. We invite them to train with us, learn new skills, and gain practical experience. Some of them are absorbed into our workforce, while others use the knowledge acquired to start their own enterprises,” Muhigirwa explained.
He further revealed that ERAM sources its raw materials from globally renowned suppliers to ensure that the quality of its products meets both local and international standards.
“You cannot operate a modern factory without having proper laboratory facilities. That is why we are investing in a state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory to enhance our capacity for testing and quality assurance,” he said.
Muhigirwa echoed the Minister’s message by calling on the youth to look at agriculture and animal production as a lucrative and sustainable business venture, capable of transforming lives and reducing unemployment.
“The agriculture sector is full of opportunities for those who are willing to work hard and innovate. With value addition, marketing, and modern technologies, young people can make a decent living from agriculture,” he added.
