UGANDANS URGED TO CONSUME BROWN FLOUR FOR BETTER NUTRITION, ENERGY SAVINGS — GRAIN COUNCIL
BY NAOME NAMUSOKE/KMA updates
Kampala, Uganda | May 15, 2025 — The Uganda Grain Council has called on Ugandans to shift from consuming white flour (posho) to brown flour, citing its superior nutritional value and the economic advantages it offers both for consumers and millers.
Speaking at a press conference held today at the Council’s headquarters in Bukoto, the Executive Director of the Uganda Grain Council, Henry Musisi, emphasized the need for healthier dietary choices. He noted that while white posho is widely consumed, it lacks essential nutrients found in brown flour, which retains much of the grain’s natural fiber and vitamins.
“Most Ugandans rely heavily on white posho, yet it is less nutritious,” Musisi said, urging consumers to make more health-conscious decisions.
Musisi also noted that brown flour is more energy-efficient to mill, making it a pocket-friendly option for producers, especially amid the rising cost of electricity in the country.
The press conference has also addressed the ongoing battle against aflatoxin contamination in grains — a long-standing issue that previously strained regional trade. In March 2021, Kenya briefly banned maize imports from Uganda over high aflatoxin levels, triggering trade tensions. Although the ban was lifted within a week, it came with strict quality control requirements for exporters.
Musisi has revealed that the Council is working closely with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to combat aflatoxin contamination and ensure the safety of grains in the market.
Meanwhile, Nelson Onjuiya, General Manager of China Huangpai Food Machines, announced the introduction of new technologies to help combat aflatoxins.
“We have developed anti-aflatoxin machines to address the problem at the processing level,” Onjuiya said, noting that technology will play a crucial role in safeguarding both consumer health and trade relations.
In a major development for the sector, Robert Mwanje, Chairman of the Uganda Grain Council, unveiled plans for the first-ever Grain Millers Summit scheduled for May 10, 2025. The summit is expected to bring together stakeholders from across the country to discuss challenges facing the industry and explore solutions.
“The summit will help millers learn about new technologies, best practices in grain handling, access to affordable financing, and how to tap into markets like the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” Mwanje said.
Jackson Matovu Semaganyi, the Speaker for Millers, expressed optimism that the summit would provide a platform to address persistent challenges such as fluctuating grain prices.
“We hope that this summit will offer sustainable solutions and a clearer path forward for all grain millers,” Matovu added.
Uganda remains the leading grain exporter within the East African Community (EAC), annually exporting between 800,000 to 1 million tons — mainly to Kenya, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As the country gears up for the Grain Millers Summit, stakeholders are hopeful that a more coordinated, technology-driven, and health-conscious approach to grain production and processing will strengthen Uganda’s position in the regional market and improve domestic food security.