Uganda’s Dem Poultry Farm expands into regional agribusiness on back of financing and diversification

UGANDA – Uganda’s poultry industry is undergoing steady change as producers scale up operations, with Dem Poultry Farm emerging as one of the operators shifting from smallholder production to commercial farming since its establishment in 2019 by siblings Grace Natukunda and Edwin Muhereza.

The business started as a household-led poultry project built on an agricultural family background before gradually expanding its scope as demand for poultry products increased in local and regional markets.

Over time, the enterprise broadened its activities beyond poultry to include crop production, tree farming, and organic fertilizer manufacturing as part of a wider agribusiness model.

Growth accelerated after the company secured financial support from a local financial institution, which was used to expand production capacity, upgrade housing systems, purchase equipment, and strengthen overall farm operations.

The expanded infrastructure now supports thousands of birds under structured production units that include brooding areas, layers, feeding systems, and water management facilities, while disease control measures have been reinforced through biosecurity protocols.

Alongside poultry production, the farm has introduced waste processing systems where chicken manure is converted into organic fertilizer, which is packaged and sold to crop farmers, creating an additional revenue stream linked to farm by-products.

The business has also invested in forestry operations, maintaining tree plantations and processing timber for sale, which has contributed to income diversification and reduced reliance on a single agricultural line.

In terms of market reach, the farm now supplies poultry products across the region, with shipments extending to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while plans are underway to establish a hatchery to increase chick production capacity.

Beyond commercial output, the operation provides local employment and training opportunities for young people, exposing them to poultry management practices, agribusiness operations, and farm-based skills development.

As poultry demand continues to grow in East and Central Africa due to population growth and urban consumption patterns, the farm’s expansion reflects a broader shift toward structured poultry production supported by financing, technology adoption, and diversified farming systems.

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