ENTEBBE, Uganda — The Ugandan government on Monday announced a comprehensive series of initiatives aimed at ensuring the production of hygienic, safe meat, reflecting a commitment to safeguarding veterinary public health. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, or MAAIF, is leading the effort to modernize abattoirs and slaughterhouses and establish a robust policy environment for proper meat handling.
To provide safe meat to the public, MAAIF is working closely with key stakeholders including the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, District Local Governments, the Ministry of Health, NEMA, UNBS and several development partners. This cooperation is designed to prevent foodborne diseases and zoonoses — diseases transmissible between animals and humans — by mandating that all meat slaughter facilities, both public and private, meet public health standards issued by UNBS. These regulations also aim to minimize environmental pollution through proper waste management and ensure the humane treatment of animals destined for slaughter, ultimately leading to high-quality meat products for both local consumption and international trade.
MAAIF is working assiduously to enforce nationally established standards, including the design and operational requirements for abattoirs, US 734, and hygienic standards for butcheries, US 736. A series of targeted measures have been implemented. These include issuing comprehensive guidelines for the establishment of meat slaughter and handling facilities that specify strict health and safety standards. The ministry is also distributing more than 1,200 meat inspection kits to all sub-counties across the country and periodically retooling meat inspectors with modern, risk-based meat inspection skills. Innovative transport solutions are being developed, including specialized meat transportation vessels mounted on motorcycles, a project supported by the EU-MOBIP initiative. Regulatory enforcement dictates 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 involves both periodic and impromptu inspections of meat slaughter facilities and the practices of meat handlers. Technical guidance and registration assistance are provided in collaboration with district local governments, and public awareness campaigns are being promoted via radio talk shows and other media platforms to educate the public on the benefits of consuming safe meat.
In terms of infrastructure development, under the NALPIP project from 2004 to 2012, 25 slaughterhouses and 23 livestock markets were constructed in the cattle corridor. With funding from the World Bank under the Regional Livelihood Pastoral Resilience Project from 2014 to 2019, additional slaughterhouses, markets, quarantine stations, border checkpoints and complementary infrastructure were established in Karamoja, Teso and Sebei sub-regions. The EU MOBIP project, from 2015 to 2020, saw the launch of a modern abattoir at Sanga, equipped with state-of-the-art transportation facilities. Private sector support is assisting private companies to establish export abattoirs in districts such as Kazo, Luweero and Nakasongola to boost both local and international trade. A comprehensive database of slaughter facilities across Uganda is being established for better data management. Farm inspections and technical backstopping are conducted for feedlot farmers to ensure that only healthy, well-grown animals are supplied to slaughter facilities. Vaccination programs are ensuring all animals are vaccinated against notifiable diseases like Foot-and-Mouth Disease, or FMD, to support animal and public health. Urban initiatives include collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to fast-track the establishment of standard meat slaughter facilities in nine cities and 11 municipalities.
Dr. Henry Nakalet Opolot, acting permanent secretary of MAAIF, commented, “Our commitment to public health and food safety drives every investment in our abattoir infrastructure. 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.”
These measures are expected to significantly reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, minimize environmental impacts and streamline Uganda’s ability to meet international trade standards. The initiatives represent a holistic approach — combining infrastructure development, capacity building and stringent regulatory oversight — to transform Uganda’s meat production and public health landscape.
