The minister of agriculture, Frank Tumwebaze has commissioned the Egypt-Uganda ultra-joint-model farm that has started producing meat for export.  

The modern farm, also known as NEC Farm Katonga located in Kisozi in Gomba district boasts of 9sqmiles of land and was being developed by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) to promote the production of meat for export to Africa, Europe and the Middle East. 

It is managed under the Meat Export Support Service Project, jointly managed by the ministry of agriculture and land reclamation of the Arab Republic of Egypt and NEC, the commercial arm of the ministry of defense.  

The minister toured the Egypt-Uganda bull-fattening farm, where it was reported that bulls add 1.35kg of weight every day. At the farm, the minister was received by the Egyptian deputy chief of mission, Mohanad Mozari and Mohamed Nazeeh Kilany, a counselor at the Egyptian embassy and other officials.  

The Egypt-Uganda model farm

The minister also toured the NEC Farm Katonga, which has about 700 animals of varying genetic qualities of Boran and Brahman breeds. The farm operates two farms under the meat export support service project at Kisozi in Gomba and at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi district. The two farms are being developed to create adequate meat export. At the two farms, the army is breeding a mother herd managed under the free-range system and bull fattening section under the ‘feed lot’.  

The minister of agriculture Frank Tumwebaze with other officials at the  Egypt-Uganda model farm

The minister thanked the government of Egypt for valuing the partnership with Uganda and for choosing beef, one of the most valued chains that are delicate and said the ministry was partner to the project and has a lot of obligation to ensure it succeeds. He said the ministry had a strategy of supporting lead farmers as one of the means to support surrounding farmers or out-growers. “We want to put money in Katonga farm because we want to ensure that the surrounding communities use this as their anchor factor to enable them,” he explained, adding that the ministry would go ahead to support actors in the agriculture sector.  

The function was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Major Gen. Kasura Kyomukama, NEC managing director Major General James Mugira, Gomba West Member of Parliament Robinah Rwakoojo and district leaders from Gomba and Ssembabule and other officials.