President Museveni Hails NEC-Ragwa Partnership as Meat Processing Plant Opens in Gomba

Gomba District, Uganda – 

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Meat and Beans Processing Factory at NEC Farm Katonga in Kisozi, Gomba District, describing the facility as a major milestone in Uganda's efforts to promote value addition, industrialisation, and economic transformation.

The state-of-the-art processing plant, established through a joint venture between the National Enterprise Corporation and M/s Ragwa & Co. Ltd, is expected to significantly strengthen Uganda's livestock industry while reducing the country's dependence on imported processed food products.

The commissioning ceremony attracted government officials, military leaders, local leaders, farmers, and representatives from the private sector, all of whom hailed the project as a game-changer for Uganda's agricultural and industrial sectors.

Modern Facility with Large Processing Capacity

Built to international standards, the factory has the capacity to process up to 150 animals per day, operating five days a week. This translates into an annual requirement of approximately 39,000 head of cattle.

To ensure a reliable supply of livestock, NEC has already embarked on engaging cattle farmers across the country, offering competitive offtake arrangements that guarantee market access in exchange for consistent delivery of high-quality animals.

The factory also includes a modern beans processing component, aimed at supporting food security initiatives and providing quality food products for both domestic and international markets.

President Museveni Pledges Government Support

While commissioning the facility, President Museveni reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the project and ensuring its long-term sustainability.

The President pledged to mobilise cattle farmers across the country to guarantee a steady supply of livestock to the factory, noting that the plant's requirements can comfortably be met through organised commercial farming.

According to the President, a network of about 100 dedicated beef farmers would be sufficient to sustainably supply the factory.

He also addressed concerns regarding electricity supply to the facility, directing the responsible line ministry to urgently devise a permanent solution to guarantee stable and reliable power.

President Museveni emphasised that value addition remains one of the key pillars of Uganda's economic strategy, arguing that processing agricultural products locally creates jobs, increases export earnings, and generates more wealth for farmers.

Factory to Enhance National Self-Reliance

Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, commended NEC and M/s Ragwa & Co. Ltd for establishing the factory, saying it would save the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) substantial amounts of money previously spent on importing similar products.

He described the project as a strategic investment that goes beyond business and directly contributes to national self-sufficiency.

"This factory isn't just about business. It is about transformation to self-sufficiency. The facility has the capacity to produce for the UPDF and other sister agencies. It has already created employment for food scientists, engineers and many others," he said.

The Minister noted that the factory will also stimulate demand for local agricultural produce by sourcing raw materials from Ugandan farmers and suppliers, thereby creating additional economic opportunities for communities across the country.

Job Creation and Economic Transformation

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, NEC Managing Director Lt. Gen. James Mugira said the factory will generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities for hundreds of Ugandans.

He explained that the facility's operations will benefit livestock farmers, transporters, traders, suppliers, food scientists, engineers, and many other players within the agricultural value chain. 

Lt. Gen. Mugira particularly highlighted the importance of the factory's tin canning production line, saying it will significantly reduce Uganda's reliance on imported processed meat products.

The facility is expected to produce dry rations and processed meat products for the country's security agencies, including the:

Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF);

Uganda Police Force;

and Uganda Prisons Service.

By producing these commodities locally, Uganda will conserve foreign exchange and strengthen national self-reliance.

Complete Farm-to-Factory Value Chain

Lt. Gen. Mugira also revealed that the project completes an integrated production cycle developed by NEC. Under this arrangement, bulls reared at NEC Farm Katonga are fattened at the neighbouring Egypt-Uganda Joint Model Farm before being processed at the newly commissioned factory.

The integrated approach creates a seamless value chain from livestock production to finished products, maximising efficiency and ensuring quality control at every stage.

He thanked M/s Ragwa & Co. Ltd for its confidence in Uganda, noting that the partnership has brought valuable investment, technology transfer, technical expertise, and international best practices into the country's livestock sector.

A New Chapter for Uganda's Livestock Industry

The commissioning of the NEC Meat and Beans Processing Factory represents another major step in Uganda's journey towards industrialisation and value addition.

The project is expected to:

Increase demand for locally reared cattle;

Create employment opportunities;

Boost household incomes among farmers;

Reduce expenditure on imported processed foods;

Enhance food security;

and Strengthen Uganda's economic self-reliance.

As Uganda continues to promote agro-industrialisation and local manufacturing, the new factory stands as a symbol of the country's determination to transform its agricultural wealth into industrial strength and sustainable economic development.