Beef exporters call for accelerated halal certification in Uganda

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Dealers in meat and related products are urging the fast-tracking of halal certification for Uganda. They believe this is a vital step to enhance the country's beef exports, particularly to Muslim-majority countries.

We urge key stakeholders, including the Government, to expedite the process so that we can obtain an internationally recognised halal certification, which is crucial for exporting to the Middle East," Collins Muyanja, a member of the Uganda Beef Producers Association (UBPA), says.

He made this announcement during the launch of the Ranchers Finest Meat supermarket at Forest Mall in Kampala on May 7, 2025.



Halal certification verifies that a product is manufactured and packaged in accordance with Islamic law, as set by the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation.

According to Muyanja, this certification would assist Ugandan exporters in entering the Middle East market, which is a net importer of meat, producing only 15 per cent of its meat requirements and sourcing the remainder through imports.

"This presents a significant opportunity for Uganda, where the livestock sector contributes 4.3 per cent to the gross national product (GDP)," he added.



Supporting farmers

Muyanja, who is also the head Ranchers Finest group of companies in Uganda, called on the Government to support the development of the beef supply chain, particularly in terms of animal husbandry practices and the quality of pastures provided for livestock.

"If we want to compete on the global stage, there must be a concerted effort to commercialise our animal husbandry practices to cater to the export market," he emphasised.

Loic Ekinga, the marketing manager of the supermarket, expressed that the supermarket aims to showcase the premium quality of Ugandan meat in one location for meat enthusiasts.

"We believe Ugandan meat can compete globally due to the superior quality that comes from this land," he said, adding that all the meat available at the supermarket is sourced locally.

Support for startups

Ham Nawakajjo, a meat connoisseur, emphasised the need for increased government support for startups in the beef value chain.

In Uganda, there are approximately 14.2 million cattle, with around 11.9 million raised for meat. The majority of these cattle are found within the cattle corridor that stretches from Ankole to Karamoja.

The livestock sector contributes between 1 and 1.5 per cent to Uganda's export value, primarily through dairy and eggs, with meat and meat products being less significant in comparison.