Ranches Finest commended on quality meat exports
Minister Anite is welcomed by Stephan Duyck, the Director of Ranches Finest, at their factory in Kawempe.
State Minister for Investment, Evelyne Anite, has commended Ranches Finest for its sustained production and export of high- quality beef products from Uganda to the global market.
While on a tour of the company’s factory at Kawempe near Kampala on Thursday, Anite said this is an indication that Uganda, historically known for exporting raw agricultural produce, has now shifted its focus towards exporting value-added products.
She noted that the company’s innovative approach to processing meat has allowed Uganda to achieve new milestones in food exportation.
- "This achievement is remarkable. We are no longer just exporting raw beef, but now we are exporting high-quality, value-added products," Anite stated.
She added that the fulfillment of a promise made by President Yoweri Museveni to former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to place Ugandan beef on British tables, is within reach. "Though we haven’t fully met that demand yet, I am optimistic that with Ranches Finest leading the way, we will soon fulfill that promise," she said.
It should be remembered that in 2020, then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Ugandan beef would have an honoured place on the tables of post-Brexit Britain, during the UK-Africa Investment Summit. However, Uganda has since failed to meet the demand of the United Kingdom.
- Ranches Finest has established a state-of-the-art factory that integrates backward into ranching, ensuring both traceability and quality control. This approach has brought new energy into the supply chain and provided direct employment to 195 people, with over 2,000 indirect jobs being created for Ugandans.
Anite said the ranch’s close collaboration with local farmers ensures fair prices and security for their products, eliminating exploitation.
“The company’s success is also evident in its expanding export footprint. Their beef and poultry products have found markets in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, with plans to extend their reach to Egypt and the UAE. Crucially, Ranches Finest products are halal-certified, which opens doors to lucrative markets in Muslim-majority countries,” she said.
She also stressed the government's commitment to helping businesses, especially in the beef sector thrive by ensuring product quality through agencies like the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). Anite also noted the challenges in securing halal certification for exports, but through collaboration with Muslim communities, she said the process has been streamlined for Uganda’s future exporters.
John Rujoki Musinguzi, Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), attributed Uganda’s recent economic resilience and revenue growth to transformative efforts, emphasizing the integrity and commitment shown by institutions such as Ranches Finest.
- He encouraged other businesses and institutions, including the church, to take part in Uganda’s journey towards greater accountability and tax education, noting the role of civic responsibility in national development.
- Colin Mayanja, Ranches Finest’s CEO, assured the public and local farmers that there is growing demand for Uganda’s agricultural products, especially in international markets.
Mayanja stressed the importance of building a reliable value chain and ensuring that farmers receive timely payments for their products, urging them to take advantage of funding opportunities like the Parish Development Model to invest in high-demand ventures such as poultry, goats, and cattle.
"The demand is real, the market is growing, and we are here to guarantee it," he declared, adding that the need for continued collaboration between the government and private sector, especially on incentives to grow and position Ugandan businesses as a key player in the EAC region and the continent.
The company produces premium quality meat cuts, pre-packed branded processed meats for retail, premium sausage ranges, and traditional smoked sausages for both the local market and export.