Dairy Month Celebrated Amidst Persistent Trade Tensions Within the East African Community

By BigEyeUg Team Trade tensions within the East African Community continue to cripple the dairy industry amidst noticeable local growth in milk production, not matched with in-country demand. During his state of the nation address last week on 6th June 2024, the President of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni highlighted that milk production in Uganda is at 5.3 billion litres with an internal market of 800 million litres, leaving a huge un-consumed difference. This month is the internationally celebrated June Dairy month, which the Dairy Development Authority (DDA) in Uganda is using to recognize stakeholders within the entire dairy value chain for their contribution towards providing fresh wholesome milk and milk products for all people to enjoy under the theme: “Dairy for improved household income.’ Akankiza Samson Mpiira, the Executive Director of DDA notes that the dairy value chain is one of the most dynamic sectors in Uganda, critical to the development of the rural economy and household transformation. “This is due to its role in nutrition, income and employment security of persons. It is a priority sector in the Agro-industrialization and “real economy” agenda, the Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan (NDP III),” said Akankiza. Meanwhile, a joint...