By Frank Kamuntu
Members of Parliament have raised concerns over the UGX 7.4 million spent on each exotic goat and UGX 400,000 for local goats by the Ministry of Agriculture, especially after 409 out of 850 goats distributed to farmers died within the first week of delivery.
The alarming revelation came from Muwanga Kivumbi, Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, during a presentation of the Auditor General’s findings. MPs criticized the Ministry for the inflated costs and the mismanagement of the project.
“On average, each exotic goat cost UGX 7.4 million, while local goats were purchased at UGX 400,000, which is exorbitant. The Ministry of Agriculture should have conducted proper due diligence to assess the adaptability of these animals to their intended locations. The epidemiological investigations conducted after the goats fell ill were too little, too late,” remarked Kivumbi.
The distribution of goats followed a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Sembeguya Estates Uganda Ltd (SEUL) on April 21, 2021, for the Goat Roll-Out Project (GRP), valued at UGX 15 billion over five years across seven districts: Gomba, Kyankwanzi, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Mubende, Wakiso, and Sembabule.
The Auditor General reported that Sembeguya Estates procured and distributed 2,902 local indigenous goats worth UGX 1.156 billion and seven imported goats valued at UGX 528 million. However, physical inspections in Sembeguya Estates Farm in Sembabule and four other project districts—Gomba, Kyankwanzi, Nakaseke, and Nakasongola—revealed a high mortality rate among the distributed goats.
“The Auditor noted a concerning mortality rate under the project. In Nakasongola, all 150 distributed goats worth UGX 52.5 million died. In Gomba, 259 out of 700 goats distributed—37% of the total—valued at UGX 90.7 million also perished. In total, 409 goats out of 850 distributed in Gomba and Nakasongola, representing 45% and worth UGX 143 million, had died by the time of the audit in September 2023,” Kivumbi explained.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture informed the Committee that project activities had been suspended, and epidemiological investigations confirmed that the goats were dying from Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly infectious viral disease affecting goats and sheep, which was eventually addressed through vaccination campaigns.
“Specifically, there was a high rate of deaths shortly after delivery: 110 out of 150 goats in Nakasongola and 206 out of 700 in Gomba,” Kivumbi added. The Auditor General further noted the lack of regular monitoring and supervision by the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as inadequate involvement in vaccination drives, preparation of beneficiary farmers, and goat distribution.
During the March 2024 probe, auditors indicated that if the goats died from PPR shortly after delivery, it suggested the supplier may have intentionally provided sick animals. They emphasized the Ministry’s failure to inspect the goats at the time of delivery.
Beneficiary farmers reported that some goats were weak, emaciated, coughing, and had nasal discharges requiring treatment, which led to additional costs. However, this information was not documented, and many farmers did not maintain records of their goat enterprises due to inadequate infrastructure.
MPs also questioned why the Ministry continued its relationship with Sembeguya Estates, given its history of poor performance. Kivumbi stated, “The average price per goat is grossly inflated in the Committee’s opinion. We have serious reservations about the capacity of Sembeguya Estates, which has a track record of mismanaging such projects. The company should be blacklisted for causing financial losses. We urge Parliament to grant the Committee at least two months to specifically investigate the Goat Project under the Ministry of Agriculture.”
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