'Uganda has low milk consumption'

By Pascal Kwesiga

The low milk consumption in Uganda is an opportunity for people to invest in the dairy sector, the Dairy Development Association (DDA) has said.

The association’s dairy development manager, Dr. Robert Wangoola, said Uganda’s milk consumption rate is 50 litres per person each year.

Wangoola said this was 150 litres below the internationally recommended milk consumption rate of 200 litres per person. He made the remarks during a meeting with milk processors at the association’s offices yesterday.

Wangoola said Uganda is the lowest milk consumer in East Africa. He said Kenya is close to 200 litres of milk per person annually, while Tanzania had increased their milk consumption rates significantly over the years.

He noted that if the consumption of milk products is increased, the dairy industry will become one of the most viable areas for investment.

Wangoola explained that one of the reasons why there is low milk consumption in Uganda is the lack of aggressive advertising and the fear of growing fat.

He stressed the need to sensitise people about milk products on the market, adding that Uganda produces only between 1.5 billion and 1.8 billion litres of milk per year which is still low. Only 10% to 15% of this milk is processed.

Wangoola said they will give out free milk products to children at Gulu, Kiryandongo and Mbarara hospitals during the annual dairy celebrations next month.