On May 20, 2025, the Grain Council of Uganda (TGCU) convened the inaugural Grain Millers Summit at the UMA Ground Multipurpose Hall in Kampala. The event brought together grain millers, service providers, government officials, and industry stakeholders to discuss pressing challenges facing the milling sector and to foster knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration.
The summit’s keynote address was delivered by Mr. Bwambale Bernard, Head of Program at CONSENT and Coordinator of the Food Safety Coalition of Uganda (FoSCU). He provided a comprehensive overview of critical food safety gaps along Uganda’s grain value chain, highlighting unsafe grain handling practices such as drying grains on bare ground, tarmac roads, and rusted iron sheets, as well as the use of chemicals like glyphosate by farmers during drying. Additionally, he raised concerns about poor grain preservation methods, including the use of rodent poisons in storage facilities, and emphasized inadequate hygiene and sanitation standards at processing plants. Mr. Bwambale underscored widespread non-compliance with established food safety standards as a significant issue within the sector.
Mr. Bwambale emphasized the severe health risks these practices pose to consumers, citing aflatoxin contamination as a case in point. Exposure to aflatoxins is linked to liver cancer, stunted growth in children, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Beyond health implications, he pointed to the negative impact on trade and the broader economy, urging millers to embrace a culture of quality, comply with food safety standards, and adopt optimal hygiene and handling practices to safeguard consumer health.
The summit also provided a platform for millers to voice operational challenges. Key issues raised included unreliable electricity supply and high tariffs, which hamper production efficiency, as well as limited access to affordable financing to upgrade processing equipment. Many millers lamented the high cost and inefficiency of existing machinery, which affects productivity and product quality.
Responding to these concerns, Hon. Evelyn Anite, Minister of State for Investment, pledged to collaborate with the Ministry of Energy and the Electricity Regulatory Authority to address electricity-related challenges. She encouraged millers to engage with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), which facilitates government-backed funding opportunities for local investors. Representatives from various financial institutions present at the summit also assured millers of accessible funding options with competitive interest rates.
On quality assurance, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) outlined ongoing efforts to support compliance with national food safety standards, while the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited addressed power supply issues. Additionally, several equipment manufacturers showcased modern milling technologies designed to improve efficiency, safety, and product quality, offering millers access to innovations that could transform their operations.
The Grain Millers Summit 2025 marked a pivotal moment for Uganda’s grain milling industry, highlighting the urgent need for improved food safety practices, infrastructural support, and financial accessibility. By fostering dialogue among stakeholders and showcasing technological advancements, the summit set the stage for a more resilient, competitive, and consumer-safe milling sector in Uganda.
This article is based on proceedings from the Grain Millers Summit held on May 20, 2025, at UMA Ground Multipurpose Hall, Kampala.
