LIRA, January 29, 2024 – The National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO] has appointed Prof. Samuel Majalija of Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources and Biosecurity as the head of the National Livestock Resource and Research Institute [ NaLRRI ].
The upgraded institute is based at Maruzi Ranch in Akokoro Sub-county, Apac district. The government established the ranch on 64 square miles of land under Uganda Livestock Industries.
The Director General of NARO, Dr. Yona Baguma said they want to transform the institute into a centre of excellence in livestock research and deliver livestock products to the country.
Majalija replaced Dr. Nanyeenya Ntege William who had been serving as the Acting Director of the institute since August 2023.
According to Dr. Baguma, the institute will undertake four major research programmes targeting; beef, dairy, entomology and vaccinology.
Speaking days ago during the handover, Baguma said Nakyesasa NaLRRI in Wakiso where Prof Majalija has been working will remain with bioscience, vaccine and pharmaceutical companies, dairy incubation and livestock skilling for the communities.
Majalija said Uganda has lagged behind in the production of livestock in the world because not enough research has been done in the sector.
He said the journey to transform the livestock sector in Uganda has started, adding that the country is blessed with a favourable climate for livestock production.
“Now that we are moving into the direction of boosting livestock production in the country, the population of animals reared in the country will go up,” he said, adding that Uganda has enough pasture for the animals.
He said they have a task, as a research institute, to to boost the production of beef, eggs, and every livestock resource product for both domestic production and export.
The Apac Resident District Commissioner, George Abudul called upon the institute to establish a primary school and a health facility in the area as part of their corporate social responsibility.
He noted that the only health facility in the area is located 6 kilometres away and that the communities find it hard to access it because it is far away.
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