Musenero lauds Katebe Farm for innovations in Uganda’s dairy sector
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, the minister praised the effort as a real-world example of how innovation and science can directly improve livelihoods and spur economic growth.
The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr Monica Musenero Masanza, listens to one of the engineers during the tour of the facility. (Courtesy photo)
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The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr Monica Musenero Masanza, has hailed the transformation of Katebe Farm in Lyantonde District, describing it as a major step forward in Uganda's agro-industrialisation agenda.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, the minister praised the effort as a real-world example of how innovation and science can directly improve livelihoods and spur economic growth.
“This is what it looks like when science leaves the lab and goes to the farm. We are building systems that help our farmers add value, reduce losses, and earn more from their work. Through the STI Secretariat, we are intentional about supporting innovations that solve real problems and create real positive impact in communities,” Musenero noted.
Musenero further emphasised the broader vision behind such interventions explaining that the goal is to ensure that every region in Uganda can benefit from home-grown technologies.
A steam boiler system, a biomass burner, and improved pasteurisation equipment are among the contemporary dairy processing technologies introduced by the transformation.
Through sustainable energy utilisation, these improvements are expected to greatly increase milk processing capacity, improve product quality, and lower operating costs.
“When we invest in innovation at this level, we are strengthening entire value chains from the farmer to the market while creating jobs and building resilience in our economy.”
The host and owner of Katebe Farm, Retired Gen. Kale Kayihura, commended the collaboration and the improvements' effect on the farm's operations.
"This change has radically altered the way we do business. We can now eliminate waste, maintain higher quality standards, and process milk more effectively. I am appreciative to EDiC for introducing this degree of innovation to the farm," Kayihura said.
Jimmy Kandole, one of the engineers on the project from EDiC, emphasised the technical importance of the improvements, pointing out that sustainable agro-processing depends on the integration of energy-efficient systems.
“Our objective was to create sustainable, accessible, and effective solutions for Ugandan farmers. For example, the enhanced pasteurisation system guarantees consistent quality, and the biomass burner lessens dependency on costly fuels.”
Impact of innovation
Beyond the technology upgrades, the transformation is already creating a meaningful impact within the surrounding communities.
Katebe Farm works with over 15 milk suppliers and supports a wider ecosystem benefiting more than 1,000 people, including those engaged in the banana processing plant, goat rearing, and other farm activities.
The farm is strategically located at the intersection of Kiruhura, Sembabule, and Lyantonde districts, and serves as a key hub for the region and members of the community actively contributing to its operations by supplying inputs such as milk, firewood for the biomass system, liquid soap, and casual labour.
The intervention at Katebe Farm demonstrates EDiC's larger responsibility to create, modify, and implement suitable technologies that solve regional issues and hasten industrial development.
The renovated Katebe Farm now serves as a model for cutting-edge, effective, and sustainable dairy processing, showcasing the observable advantages of making investments in science, technology, and innovation to realise Uganda's agricultural sector's full potential.