Uganda has been selected in over ten countries from the African continent to be the regional gene bank for East and Southern African region following a tight competition from several countries including Rwanda, Kenya and Ethiopia. The official launch of the Regional Gene Bank for Animal Genetic Resources for Eastern Africa was presided over by the Uganda prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda last Friday at the regional offices in Entebbe.
The regional gene bank is to strengthen capacity for sustainable utilization of animal genetic resources in Africa. The gene hub is to conserve genetic material and store genetic resources from different countries across the African continent.
Uganda is honored to be the regional gene bank following lots of recommendations , said former AU Commissioner Rhoda Tumusiime at the launch. Prime Minister Rugunda said that Uganda is delighted to be chosen as the regional gene hub and since live stock is one of our key sectors.
He added that livestock numbers as of 2017 showed that Goats were 15.3millions, Sheeps 4.3millions,Pigs 4millions and Chicken 41millions.Agriculture Minister Vicent Bamurangaki Ssempijja said that Uganda joins other countries in strengthening bio-diversity and setting bans for increased livestock production. The minister added that the regional gene is to have a Data and Communication Center, Training Centre, Laboratories and Storage facilities for Semen, Ovaries and embryos.
The official gene bank launch was attended by over six Uganda members of parliament. The bank will preserve animal genetic resources germplasm for 12 Countries including Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, Republic of Comoros, South Sudan and Sudan. It is one of the six established under the Global Plan of Action to conserve the world’s heritage of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture. Other banks exist in Burkina Faso, Botswana and Cameroon.
The bank will preserve animal genetic resources germplasm for 12 Countries including Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, Republic of Comoros, South Sudan and Sudan. It is one of the six established under the Global Plan of Action to conserve the world’s heritage of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture.
Other banks exist in Burkina Faso, Botswana and Cameroon. Dr Charles Lagu, the Executive Director of the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank says that having the bank here gives Uganda easy access to other breeds of animals from other countries and an opportunity to increase the livestock varieties in the country. He says the bank has the capacity of storing millions of genetic resources using liquid nitrogen tanks.
