Picking from the many Ugandans with whom I have interacted with as a veterinarian, farmer, and livestock industry advocate, it is often deemed taboo to publicly praise an individual or institution for their contributions to community welfare before their demise.
Today, I wish to break from that convention and give credit where it is due.
As a proud member of the National Beef Multi-Stakeholders Plat- form, where Dr Alice Hope Banga, Co-Director of ERAM(U) Ltd, deputises me as Vice Chairman (Private Sector), I have witnessed first-hand the remarkable impact ERAM (U) Ltd has made on Uganda’s livestock industry over the past 30 years.
Through the provision of high-quality veterinary products including drugs, vaccines, equipment, and feed supplements— ERAM (U) Ltd has ensured the health and productivity of livestock across the country. With an extensive range of over 400 products, the company offers farmers a reliable one-stop solution. Their technical team, composed of pharmacists, veterinary doctors, and para-veterinary officers, provides expert guidance and technical support, helping farmers make informed decisions on livestock management and disease control.
With a strong national distribution network—spanning Lugazi, Nakivubo, and Mbarara ERAM (U) Ltd has made essential veterinary products accessible and affordable to farmers across Uganda.
This nationwide presence has catalysed the growth of hundreds of smaller veterinary drug shops and animal feed outlets, creating thousands of jobs and empowering women and youth who might otherwise remain unemployed. Through this multiplier effect, ERAM (U) Ltd has contributed immensely to both community empowerment and economic growth.
The livestock sector now con- tributes 17 percent of agricultural GDP and 4.3 percent of Uganda’s total GDP, underscoring its importance to the national economy. More broadly, agriculture—including livestock, forestry, and fisheries accounts for 24.67 percent of Uganda’s GDP (2024) and employs 72 percent of the population.
With 37 percent of households engaged in livestock farming, the sector’s vitality depends heavily on the availability of reliable veterinary products and expertise—an area where ERAM (U) Ltd has been a consistent and trusted partner.
Disease prevention and control remain critical challenges. Research indicates that tick control alone accounts for 68 percent of total animal health management costs, with tick-borne diseases responsible for 75 percent of cattle losses in 2009.
By providing effective and afford – able veterinary solutions, ERAM (U) Ltd has played a pivotal role in protecting farmers from such devastating losses and safeguarding the nation’s livestock wealth.
I, therefore, take this opportunity to commend the leadership, management, and staff of ERAM (U) Ltd for their unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, customer satisfaction, and excellence.
Their entrepreneurial spirit and deep sense of patriotism have made ERAM not merely a business but a partner in Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
Looking ahead, I urge the directors to consider expanding into agro-industrialisation, particularly in commercial animal feed production, seed development, and value addition.
Such an initiative would not only enhance Uganda’s export potential but also create employment opportunities for fresh graduates from agricultural colleges and universities, boosting household incomes and improving livelihoods nationwide.
Ugandans, and livestock farmers in particular, need not wait for the passing of any ERAM (U) Ltd director to celebrate their achievements.
Let us appreciate them now, for their enduring contribution to Uganda’s livestock sector, their tireless investment in animal health, and their unwavering service to our nation’s prosperity.
