Dairy Farming in Uganda: Opportunities, Challenges, and Modern Management Practices

Uganda’s dairy sector has experienced remarkable growth over the past two decades, transforming from a largely subsistence activity into a significant commercial industry. With annual milk production exceeding 2.8 billion litres, Uganda is now one of the largest milk producers in East Africa.

The Dairy Landscape

Dairy farming in Uganda is concentrated in the dairy belt spanning Mbarara, Kiruhura, Bushenyi, and Ntungamo, where Ankole-Friesian crossbreeds are most common. However, dairy production is expanding rapidly into central and eastern Uganda. The sector supports approximately 1.7 million dairy farming households. Most are smallholders with 1-5 cows, though commercial operations are growing.

Key Challenges

Feed and Nutrition: Dry seasons cause severe feed shortages, leading to dramatic drops in milk production. Farmers who invest in silage making and improved pastures can maintain production year-round.

Disease Management: East Coast Fever (ECF), mastitis, brucellosis, and FMD are major threats. ECF alone kills an estimated 1.1 million cattle annually across East Africa.

Market Access: Many smallholders sell milk at the farm gate for UGX 500-800 per litre, far below the UGX 1,500-2,500 achievable through organised channels.

How U-LITS Supports Dairy Farmers

• Production Tracking: Log daily milk yield per cow to identify your best and worst performers
• Health Records: Maintain vaccination and treatment records with drug withdrawal periods
• Breeding Management: Track pregnancy status, calving dates, sire information, and genetic progress
• Financial Analytics: Monitor costs against revenue to understand true profitability per cow
• Market Access: List surplus stock on the marketplace with verified credentials

Best Practices for Higher Production

1. Invest in genetics: Crossbreeding local Ankole cattle with Friesian or Jersey breeds can dramatically increase milk yield while maintaining disease resistance.

2. Improve feeding: Supplement natural grazing with Napier grass, maize bran, and cotton seed cake. A well-fed crossbred cow can produce 15-20 litres daily compared to 3-5 litres on grazing alone.

3. Manage reproduction: Aim for a calving interval of 12-13 months. Use artificial insemination for genetic improvement.

4. Control diseases: Vaccinate against ECF, FMD, blackleg, and brucellosis. Practice regular tick control.

5. Keep records: Digital record keeping through U-LITS enables data-driven decision making about culling and breeding.