By Andrew Musinguzi
The Government has launched a milk consumption awareness campaign for school-going children themed Dairy for health and wealth.
During the function at Kakeka playgrounds in Kakumiro town council, the Government asked school administrators to spearhead the drive for daily consumption of milk.
Representing Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, the state minister for agriculture, Col. Bright Rwamirama, revealed that the objective of the campaign is to create awareness of the importance of milk consumption among school-going children in Bunyoro region.
“It has come to our notice that Kakumiro district collects 15,000 litres of milk daily, but none of this reaches pupils since the it is all sold. The World Health Organisation recommends that every person should consume at least 200 litres of milk per year. I was surprised when I heard from leaders here that milk is exchanged for pancakes. This practice should change, because milk is a nutritious diet for both children and adults,” Rwamirama said.
The minister asked residents to embrace dairy farming and spearhead sensitisation about the value of milk consumption in schools for the well-being of the young generation.
Rwamirama disclosed that sh5b has been secured to boost dairy farming.
“I want to direct inspectors of schools, management committees and boards to ensure that administrators implement daily milk consumption in schools,” he said. Samson Akankiza Mpiira, the executive director of Dairy Development Authority (DDA), said: “We want the majority of school children to consume milk to minimise diseases accruing from malnutrition.
The premier sent us to sensitise the populace and school administrators about the importance of consuming milk and you should embrace the campaign.”
Major (rtd) David Matovu, the Kakumiro resident district commissioner, said there is increased milk production in cattle corridor in Bugangaizi east constituency, expanding market opportunities both internal and external consumers.
Milk sector at a glance Ugandan milk production is largely dominated by small-scale farmers who own over 90% of the national cattle population.
As of December 2021, Uganda produced 2.81 billion litres of milk annually.
Of this, 800 million litres were consumed within Uganda, with over two billion available for export annually. During the 2019/2020 financial year, Uganda earned $131.5m from milk exports.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Rwamirama (left) arriving at Kakeka playgrounds in Kakumiro district where he launched a milk consumption campaign. Photo by Andrew Musinguzi
