President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni engaged in discussions with Botswana President, H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, during a sideline meeting at the G-77+ China summit at Munyonyo Kampala.
In this meeting, President Masisi assured unwavering support to Uganda’s farmers in addressing the foot and mouth disease by leveraging Botswana’s expertise in vaccine development.
President Masisi expressed Botswana’s commitment to assist Uganda based on the unique efficacy and purpose-driven approach in their vaccine production and he proposed a bilateral program for comprehensive collaboration, envisioning a government-to-government partnership to tackle the foot and mouth challenge.
“Your Excellency, We met some cattle farmers yesterday, they told us that they would want our assistance and I did promise them that we are dealing with the foot and mouth problem and we are producing the best vaccine in Botswana and what makes it unique is not just the efficacy of the vaccine that we produce but we produce for purpose. We would like to come and look at the blood samples of your herds in Uganda and we create the vaccine,” he said.
Additionally, President Masisi showed interest in exploring the value chain and expanding collaboration in Uganda’s dairy industry, aiming to address Botswana’s feed shortage.
President Museveni, in response, expressed gratitude for Botswana’s support in developing the vaccine, emphasizing the importance of collaboration for a fruitful partnership and he also highlighted Uganda’s progress in the dairy sector, with annual milk production increasing significantly.
President Museveni also encouraged Botswana to consider establishing a feed manufacturing company in Uganda, utilizing locally produced resources like soya beans, sunflower cake, molasses, and cotton seed.