Millers’ Summit Tackles Pressing Issues in Uganda’s Grain Milling Industry
By Naome Namusoke/Kma updates
Kampala, Uganda —Food security and safety remain paramount from the point of harvest to the dinner table. Yet, the value chain’s integrity hinges on every stage—including the often-overlooked milling process. While great strides have been made to improve food quality, Uganda’s markets continue to battle with the distribution of substandard food, including grains contaminated with dirt and harmful substances. These concerns prompted the organization of a pivotal Millers’ Summit, aimed at confronting the persistent issues plaguing Uganda’s grain milling industry.
The summit brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector players, international investors, and key representatives from the milling sector, all determined to find solutions to the industry’s most pressing challenges.
Officiating the summit, Hon. Evelyne Anite, Minister of State for Privatization and Investment, emphasized the critical role of millers in ensuring national food security and pledged the government’s support in solving the hurdles affecting the industry. In particular, she acknowledged the skyrocketing cost of power, a major concern for many local millers, and promised policy-level intervention to alleviate this burden.
“The government is committed to working with industry players to reduce electricity costs. We cannot talk about industrial growth and food security without empowering the millers who are at the heart of food processing in Uganda,” Minister Anite stated.
Adding a technological dimension to the discussions, Nelson Ojwiya, a representative from China Huangpai, showcased new machinery designed to combat aflatoxin contamination a chronic issue affecting grain quality in Uganda. Aflatoxins, toxic compounds produced by certain molds, are commonly found in improperly stored grains and pose severe health risks to consumers.
“Our new generation of milling technology from Huangpai is tailored to help reduce aflatoxins and improve food safety. This innovation could be a game-changer for Uganda’s grain sector,” Ojwiya noted.
Statistics presented during the summit highlighted the industry’s massive economic footprint. Millers in Uganda purchase over 3.5 million tons of grain annually, predominantly maize, with a market value exceeding UGX 2.5 trillion. Beyond their commercial operations, millers contribute significantly to national revenue through billions of shillings in taxes, including VAT on electricity and packaging materials.
Industry leaders used the platform to stress the importance of creating a more supportive regulatory and operational environment. Calls were made for increased investment in quality control mechanisms, the elimination of counterfeit milling equipment, and the enforcement of food safety standards.
The summit closed with a renewed sense of purpose and a strong commitment from both the public and private sectors to work collaboratively in transforming Uganda’s grain milling industry. As food security becomes an increasingly urgent concern, the summit served as a timely reminder that millers are not just processors they are vital gatekeepers of food quality and national health.