As Uganda joined the rest of the world to mark World Egg Day 2025, government officials, agricultural experts, and entrepreneurs emphasized the need for youth to embrace opportunities within the poultry industry — a sector increasingly recognized for its potential to drive employment, nutrition, and national development. The event, held at Old Kampala Secondary School, brought together stakeholders from across the country under the theme “Eggs for a Healthy Future.” It served as a platform to inspire young Ugandans to see poultry farming not as a subsistence activity, but as a vibrant business venture that can transform lives.
During the celebration, State Minister for Animal Industry, Hon. Bright Rwamirama, highlighted the vast potential that lies within the poultry sector. He described poultry farming as a strategic economic pillar capable of uplifting millions of households. “An egg is more than just food — it is income for farmers, nutrition for families, and innovation for our young entrepreneurs,” he said. The minister explained that beyond traditional egg production, there are numerous untapped opportunities along the value chain, including hatchery operations, feed processing, packaging, transport, and egg-based product manufacturing.
Rwamirama further revealed that the government has intensified efforts to improve policies supporting poultry farmers. He cited the newly developed Animal Feeds Law, aimed at ensuring that feeds in the market meet quality standards to protect both farmers and consumers. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to promoting agribusiness ventures among the youth, noting that agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy, employing nearly 70% of the population. “We must encourage young people to see poultry farming as a profession and a pathway to wealth creation,” he added.
The minister also shared statistics illustrating the rapid growth of the poultry sector. According to him, Uganda currently has over 5.2 million households engaged in poultry rearing, marking a 54.7 percent increase compared to figures from 2008. This expansion has not only improved food security but also created thousands of jobs, particularly for rural youth and women. However, he cautioned that despite this progress, the country still faces a huge consumption gap. “While South Africans consume between 40 to 50 kilograms of chicken per person each year, Uganda’s per capita consumption is still only 1.6 kilograms,” he noted, calling for a national drive to boost local consumption and exports.
In addition to economic benefits, the minister stressed the nutritional value of eggs, describing them as one of the most complete and affordable sources of protein. “Feeding a child an egg daily provides superior nutritional benefits compared to a plate of beans,” he said, emphasizing the need to include eggs in every household’s diet to combat malnutrition, especially among children and expectant mothers.
At the same event, Henry Mambwe, the Chairman of the Poultry Association of Uganda, encouraged the youth to tap into the immense opportunities available in poultry agribusiness. He urged for stronger partnerships between government, private investors, and farmers to make poultry farming sustainable and profitable. Mambwe noted that if young people embraced modern poultry technologies — such as improved breeds, automated incubators, and efficient feeding systems — Uganda could become a regional leader in egg and poultry production.
The World Egg Day Expo featured exhibitions from agribusiness companies, showcasing innovations in breeding, disease control, digital monitoring, and feed formulation. Workshops offered practical demonstrations and training sessions for youth on business planning, market access, and financial literacy. These initiatives aimed to empower participants with the skills and knowledge to start or scale their poultry enterprises.
The celebrations concluded with a resounding message: Uganda’s poultry sector is a goldmine for youth empowerment, job creation, and nutritional improvement. With proper government support, financial access, and training, young people can transform egg production into a thriving business. Stakeholders agreed that if fully harnessed, poultry farming could become one of Uganda’s fastest-growing industries — feeding the nation, creating jobs, and turning eggs into symbols of prosperity and hope for future generations.
