Uganda Breaks Ground on Livestock Center Aimed at Transforming Teso Region
Bukedea, Uganda – Construction is set to begin on the Teso Animal Breeding and Demonstration Centre (TABDEC) in Uganda’s Bukedea District, a project hailed as a potential turning point for livestock production in the historically vulnerable Teso sub-region. The National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) recently handed over the site to contractors, signaling a move from planning to action.
For decades, the Teso region has struggled to rebuild its livestock sector following disruptions from cattle rustling and insurgency, impacting household incomes and food security. TABDEC represents a deliberate effort to shift from recovery to long-term transformation, according to officials.
The center will be built across two sites, totaling 339 acres, and will function as an integrated hub for breeding, training, and practical demonstrations. Planned facilities include administrative buildings, staff housing, a learning center, artificial insemination (AI) training facilities, and units for poultry, piggery, and fish production. Feed processing units, water storage, and modern animal shelters are also planned.
“This is the kind of intervention that matters—where policy meets the soil, and promises are measured in livelihoods, not speeches,” noted a recent analysis by Watchdog Uganda.
NAGRC&DB, established to commercialize animal breeding in Uganda, anticipates the center will decentralize access to improved livestock genetics and services, lessening farmers’ reliance on distant government farms. The project aims to directly support farmers, particularly women and youth, with access to high-yield dairy breeds like Jersey, Friesian, and Ankole crosses, as well as climate-resilient beef breeds including Boran and Brahman crosses. A modern hatchery will provide a consistent supply of poultry, and integrated fish and piggery systems will utilize locally sourced feed.
Beyond providing improved livestock, TABDEC is projected to train up to 5,000 farmers annually in essential skills such as artificial insemination, climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness, and market access.
The project is already having an economic impact, creating immediate employment opportunities for local labor, suppliers, and service providers. NAGRC&DB shared updates on the handover via X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/NAGRC_DB/status/2031353049667568114.
While the potential benefits are significant, stakeholders emphasize the importance of transparency and timely completion. Uganda has a history of projects stalling after initial launch, and the success of TABDEC will depend on ensuring that farmers, especially those in rural communities, actually benefit from the services offered. If successful, the center could serve as a model for agricultural transformation across the region.