In a significant event for Kibuku District, the Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, officially inaugurated the Buseeta Milk Collection Centre, an initiative designed to enhance the region’s dairy sector and improve household incomes.
This facility was constructed for UGX 667 million under the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) Project, with financial backing from the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihood Fund.
The centre is equipped with a 6,000-liter milk cooler and a backup generator to effectively address persistent challenges related to milk storage and quality control.
During a tour of the facility, Minister Magyezi commended the resilience demonstrated by the Kibuku District Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society (KIDDFCS), which began in 2018 with only 40 members and has now expanded to 361 members, including 215 fully paid-up constituents.
He underscored the necessity of augmenting the cooperative’s impact through the establishment of a veterinary clinic and a livestock drug shop, which would serve not only farmers but also attract a broader clientele.
“This centre must extend beyond milk cooling; it should evolve into a hub for value addition, animal health, and innovation,” he stated.
Furthermore, the minister assured government support through LEGS 2 for the provision of a yoghurt-making machine to enhance value addition.
“The enhancement of cattle breeds and the processing of milk into yoghurt, butter, or cheese represent the basis for substantial income,” he remarked, encouraging farmers to transition from low-yield local breeds to improved varieties.
He also highlighted the significance of the eight trained artificial insemination technicians who have successfully bred over 300 cows and produced 120 improved calves within the district.
To ensure the sustainability of these initiatives, Minister Magyezi urged local authorities to collaborate with the Church to allocate additional land for a training centre.
“We must cultivate capacity. “Let us plan for a dairy training centre to sustain this momentum,” he asserted.
The centre extends beyond milk cooling; it is a hub for value addition, animal health, and innovation
The minister also announced his membership in the cooperative, signifying his dedication to the initiative, and urged young individuals to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the PDM and microfinance funds under MSC-LEGSP. “Encouraging youth participation will contribute to the reduction of cattle theft,” he noted.
The contributions of women were similarly acknowledged. The minister praised female cooperative members engaged in the production of mineral blocks for dairy cows and encouraged them to broaden their production efforts.
“These grassroots initiatives are deserving of support. You are creating value in impactful ways,” he affirmed.
Chairperson Stephen Bola characterised the Centre as a “lifeline for farmers” and expressed gratitude to the government, partners, and the Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo for the land donation.
He indicated that the cooperative purchases milk at UGX 1,050 per litre and sells it locally at UGX 1,400, with wholesalers receiving it at UGX 1,200, ensuring equitable trade for its members.
Assumpta Tibamwenda, the technical advisor at the Ministry of Local Government, emphasised the importance of instituting robust maintenance and governance systems to secure the sustainability of LEGS investments.
“This initiative represents the future of Uganda’s rural economy. “Let us safeguard it, nurture it, and pass it on to future generations,” she stated.
As the community prepares for yoghurt and cheese production, the cooperative eagerly anticipates the arrival of a UGX 216 million tractor under the Micro Support Centre scheme.
With a clear vision, an expanding membership base, and strong governmental support, the Milk Collection Centre is rapidly establishing itself as a model for rural dairy development and economic transformation.
