By David Mwanje
Uganda’s piggery sector is positioning for growth as Gudie Leisure Farm prepares to host the second Piggery Cottage Industry Symposium on December 8, 2025. The event will take place at the farm’s Najjera II premises in Kira Municipality and is expected to attract young entrepreneurs from across the country. Organisers say the symposium will focus on markets, technology, and opportunities along the value chain at a time when the region is searching for stronger food systems and export options.
Prof Gudula Naiga Basaza, Founder and Managing Director of Gudie Leisure Farm, said piggery supports a wide range of related industries. She noted that activities such as feed production, veterinary inputs, textiles from by-products, and fertiliser generation extend the value of the sector beyond farming alone. Citing the 2021 National Livestock Census, she said more than 2.2 million households depend on pig farming and Uganda’s pig herd stands at 7.1 million a base she believes can supply both domestic demand and regional markets in the EAC and COMESA.
Global demand trends point to further opportunities. Pork was valued at about 307 million dollars in 2024 and is projected to exceed 424 million dollars by 2030. The FAO estimates that pork will be the world’s second-largest driver of meat demand by 2032. Prof Basaza said such projections mean Uganda must work toward higher-quality production and meet export standards. “The symposium will help agripreneurs understand what is needed to reach these markets,” she said.
Uganda Agribusiness Alliance CEO Francis Kisirinya said piggery fits well within the National Development Plan IV and the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy. He said the rise in demand for processed agricultural products presents links for small farmers and youth. He added that coordinated work across the private sector could attract investment and support services in the value chain.
Despite the opportunities, the sector faces challenges. Farmers continue to deal with poor-quality feed, limited access to improved breeds, and weak supply chains. Adison Akwandanaho, a young trainer at Gudie Leisure Farm, said this year’s symposium will demonstrate technologies such as precision feeding and artificial insemination to address these gaps. “Youth can participate across the chain, from breeding to value addition,” he said.
Gudie Leisure Farm has been running weekly trainings and has certified 45 district pig inseminators who support more than 120,000 young people engaged in feed production, rearing, and processing. Its common-user value addition centre and a network of 50,000 youth vendors have helped increase pork consumption. The farm’s food courts, offering both traditional and modern dishes, show the sector’s potential to attract diverse markets.
