DDA Met with Stakeholders to work on a milk Cooler in Nakyere Parish, Namutumba District.

On 29th August 2024, a crucial stakeholders' engagement meeting was held in Nakyere, Namutumba District, to address the issue of a redundant milk cooling facility donated by the Government of Uganda through the Community Agricultural Infrastructure Improvement Programme (CAIIP). The facility, though well-intentioned, had remained non-operational for years, prompting Dairy Development Authority in collaboration with local authorities and community leaders to seek practical solutions.

Opening Session

The meeting, officiated by the District Information Officer Mr Kiire Noah, began at 9:00 a.m. with the arrival of invited participants, followed by the national and local anthems and an opening prayer. The LCI Chairperson of Nakyere warmly welcomed the attendees, expressing his hope that the gathering would pave the way forward for the cooler’s utilization. A guided tour of the milk cooling facility, including its generator section, was conducted to provide context for the ensuing discussions.

Key Presentations and Discussions

The Senior Assistant Secretary (SAS) Mr. Kwajja Bumali Hissa, attending his first development meeting in the parish, expressed optimism that the redundant cooler would soon be put to use. The LCIII Chairperson of Namutumba SC, Mr. Gusango Samuel Moses acknowledged the low milk productivity in the parish due to a lack of dairy cattle, suggesting that improving the cattle breeds would enhance milk production and ultimately make the facility viable.

The District Production Officer (DPO) Dr. Apollo Musita gave an overview of the facility's history, highlighting that while the cooler was installed to improve milk preservation and create economic benefits, the project faced challenges such as, an initial lack of electricity, inadequate water supply for hygiene, and insufficient milk production to make the facility sustainable. The DPO urged the participants to come up with practical solutions to these challenges.

The Dairy Development Authority (DDA)team, led by the Acting Director of Technical Services Ms, Agnes Baguma, emphasized the importance of dairy production as a means of socio-economic transformation. The Manager DDA Eastern region Mr. Magona Nathan, discussed various support services they could offer including, training in milk value addition, improving cold chain infrastructure, and promoting milk safety and marketing. DDA urged the stakeholders to collaborate and come up with viable strategies to make the facility operational

Closing Remarks

In his closing remarks, the LCV Chairperson Mr. Mukisa David urged local councillors to mobilize their communities to make better use of government-provided resources, while the Acting. Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Mr. Musana Richard commended the DDA for its practical approach to problem-solving. The meeting concluded at 1:30 p.m., with a shared commitment to finding a sustainable solution for the redundant cooler.