Museveni flags off first powdered milk consignment to Algeria, marking a major win for Uganda’s dairy sector

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Thursday officially flagged off the first consignment of powdered milk destined for Algeria, a landmark achievement signaling the growth and potential of Uganda’s agricultural sector, particularly its dairy industry.

The inaugural shipment ceremony, held at State House Entebbe, witnessed the dispatch of four containers, equivalent to 500 metric tons, of high-quality powdered milk.

Attending the event were key officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, led by Frank Tumwebaze, and representatives from Brookside Limited, the dairy company responsible for the export.

This initial shipment forms part of a larger deal that will see Uganda export 2,100 metric tons of powdered milk, valued at over USD 8 million, to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

This significant export agreement is a direct result of bilateral negotiations and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed during President Museveni’s visit to Algeria in March 2023. The agreement aimed to open Algerian markets to Ugandan products, including coffee and milk.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, congratulated Brookside and the entire dairy sector on reaching this significant milestone.

He expressed optimism that increased exports would provide a sustainable market for Ugandan dairy farmers, boosting their livelihoods and contributing to the national economy.

“Algeria is a market we’ve been pursuing for some time. When the President visited that country in 2023, one of the bilateral negotiations and the MOU we signed was to allow our coffee and milk. I want to congratulate Brookside, as well as the dairy sector and its farmers, on the opening of this market,” Tumwebaze stated.

Kennedy Gatheru, Director of Finance at Brookside Africa Limited, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, emphasizing the vast opportunities that this partnership unlocks for the country. He expressed gratitude to President Museveni for his crucial role in securing the Algerian market.

“It’s the beginning of many opportunities,” Gatheru said, highlighting the potential for further expansion. “From your personal trade intervention, and with your involvement, we are confident of securing further export opportunities for our range of dairy products,” he added, addressing the President.

This landmark export deal builds upon ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between Uganda and Algeria.

During a meeting on December 13th, 2024, at State Lodge Nakasero, President Museveni hosted Ahmed Attaf, Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and a special envoy of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

The Ugandan President commended the strengthening relationship and expressed his appreciation to his Algerian counterpart for the progress made in implementing bilateral agreements.

In that same meeting, Attaf revealed Algeria’s ambitious plan to redirect its annual $700 million milk import budget towards Uganda, citing the high quality of Ugandan fresh milk as a key factor in this decision.

This move promises to be a game-changer for Uganda’s dairy sector, potentially transforming the nation into a major dairy exporter and significantly boosting the income of countless Ugandan farmers.

The flagging off of this first consignment marks a crucial step towards realizing this potential and demonstrates the effectiveness of strategic bilateral partnerships in driving economic growth and development in Uganda.

It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Ugandan dairy farmers and the proactive efforts of the government in securing international markets for its agricultural products.

The future looks bright for Uganda’s dairy industry, with Algeria poised to become a major trading partner in the years to come.