Uganda’s prized beef, renowned globally for its distinctive yellow fat, lean profile, and rich texture, is facing an invisible barrier in its ambitious quest to conquer lucrative Muslim markets: the conspicuous absence of internationally recognized Halal certification. An investigation reveals how this lack of a credible stamp of approval is stifling the potential of Uganda’s burgeoning beef export sector, leaving exporters grappling with trust deficits and watching as competitors from Brazil and Australia dominate a region hungry for meat.
Whispers of frustration are turning into urgent calls for action from within the Ugandan beef industry. Dealers, eager to capitalize on the global demand for their organically-fed cattle, are imploring key stakeholders, particularly the government, to fast-track the establishment of an internationally recognized Halal certification system.
“We urge key stakeholders, including the Government, to play their role so that we can have an internationally recognised Halaal certification, which is important when you are exporting to the Middle East,” Collins Muyanja, a prominent member of the Uganda Beef Producers Association (UBPA), declared during the recent launch of Ranchers Finest, a Kampala-based meat supermarket. His words underscore the critical juncture at which Uganda’s beef export aspirations currently stand.
Halal certification, a rigorous process attesting that products are manufactured and packaged in strict adherence to Islamic Law as defined by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, is the golden ticket to accessing Muslim-majority markets. Without it, Ugandan beef, despite its inherent quality, faces an uphill battle in gaining the trust of importers and consumers in these regions.
“Right now, we can’t export halal products because we don’t have an international certificate,” Muyanja, who also serves as the CEO of Ranchers Finest, revealed. He pointed out the inadequacy of existing local certifications, which lack the global credibility needed to penetrate the lucrative Middle Eastern market. “That is why we need to be accredited internationally.”
The Middle East, a net importer relying on external sources for a staggering 85% of its meat consumption, presents a tantalizing opportunity for Uganda. Muyanja highlighted the irony that while Uganda’s organically raised beef boasts superior quality, the lack of proper certification allows giants like Brazil and Australia to maintain their dominance in this high-demand region.
“This presents an opportunity for Uganda, where the livestock sector accounts for 4.3% of the gross national product (GDP),” Muyanja stated, emphasizing the significant economic potential that remains largely untapped due to this certification hurdle.
Beyond Certification: Addressing Systemic Weaknesses
The call for Halal certification is intertwined with broader concerns about the need to strengthen Uganda’s entire beef supply chain. Exporters are urging the government to actively support improvements in animal husbandry practices, pasture management, and overall beef quality.
Muyanja pointed out a critical challenge: the prevalence of farmers who raise cattle for sentimental reasons rather than commercial purposes. This mindset, he argued, undermines the efforts to consistently produce high-quality beef that can compete on the global stage.
“If we are to compete on the global stage, it is prudent that there is a deliberate effort to commercialise our animal husbandry to produce for the export market,” he asserted, highlighting the need for a strategic shift towards export-oriented production.
Loic Ekinga, the marketing manager of Ranchers Finest, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the supermarket’s mission to showcase the premium quality of locally sourced Ugandan meat. “We believe Ugandan meat has the potential to compete on the world stage because of the quality,” he stated, underscoring the untapped potential waiting to be unlocked.
Grassroots Voices: Support for Value Addition
Ham Nawakajjo, a patron at the supermarket launch, further emphasized the need for government intervention, calling for increased support for startups within the beef value chain. He advocated for policies that incentivize value addition, arguing that this would foster innovation and ultimately “build a brand out of Uganda’s meat.”
Untapped Potential: A Sector Waiting to Thrive
Uganda boasts a significant livestock population, with statistics from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicating 14.2 million cattle, a substantial 11.9 million of which are raised for meat production. The majority of these cattle graze within the “cattle corridor” stretching from Ankole to Karamoja.
Despite this abundance, the livestock sector’s contribution to Uganda’s export value remains relatively modest, accounting for a mere 1% to 1.5%. This contribution is primarily driven by dairy and eggs, with meat and meat products representing a comparatively small fraction
