The Uganda Pig Stakeholders Platform (UPSP) together with its steering committee has been created to help raise the visibility of the pig sector in Uganda. The platform was formed during a recent Uganda value chain impact pathway workshop held in Kampala on 27-28 June. The workshop brought together a wide range of stakeholders to share in the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) analysis of the Uganda pig value chain who expressed a major need to create a national Pig Stakeholders Platform.
Colleagues representing several organizations including, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Volunteers Efforts for Development Concerns (VEDCO), Netherlands Development Organization (SNV), Agro Empowerment Centre (AEC), Uganda Pig Organization (UPO), Masaka and Mukono district veterinary officers volunteered as members of the steering committee; Michel Dione, represents ILRI in the steering committee.
The main objectives of the UPSP will be: to become a forum where all actors of the value chain meet and address the main constraints and issues related to the pig value chain in Uganda, and look for solutions in a participatory manner; help different players to come together and coordinate efforts; enhance synergies among actors to facilitate learning and use of knowledge; disseminate information and support other organizations participating in the smallholder pig value chains.
One of the tasks already identified by the UPSP steering committee is to advocate and lobby for the introduction of pigs in the research and development agenda in Uganda, given the importance of the activity in improving the livelihoods of more than 1.1 million families in the country.
The steering committee met for the first time on 16 July 2013 at ILRI offices in Kampala to get a common understanding of the role, operation and potential of a platform. During the second meeting on 26 July, the steering committee refined the concept of the UPSP, defining its structure, identifying the key issues to be tackled in following months and mapping the players in the pig sector, with their roles and capacities. Further meetings are planned by the steering committee to finalize the platform’s structure, identify priority issues, and plan the meeting for launching the platform.
Uganda Pig Stakeholders Platform is supported by ILRI staff based in the Kampala office who offer facilitation for the setting up of the structure and also logistical support by hosting the meetings and coordinating the communication among the stakeholders.
Article contributed by ILRI, Michel Dione
CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish 
I am very interested in assessing information about the Ugandan Pig Industry. I work with an Irish Agri technology company namely Devenish Nutrition and we are seriously examining the prospect of establishing a small scale model pig farm to assist in the growth of the sector. I am planning to travel to Uganda-on week commencing 16th Sept and I believe it would be very beneficial to arrange a meeting with some of your group in Kampala on the Mon / Tues that week.
I am contactable on this e mail address . michaelfrancismaguire@gmail.com.
I look forward to hearing from ye. Michael Maguire.
Deea Michael
Thank you for your interest. Please contact us on M.Dione@cgiar.org so that we can arrange for a meeting when you are in Uganda
Michel
I would like to rare pigs of good breed that can help me make some income.kindly help me with information on how to get started since I have little knowledge in this field but I have a lot of interest.thank-you.