Pigs Deserve Better
“In Uganda, pigs are some of the most invisible victims of cruelty and neglect”
— Julius Kirumira, Founder
Despite their growing importance in the country’s meat industry, pigs receive little to no protection, either under the law or in everyday practice. Their suffering is hidden out of sight, out of mind. But behind every plate of pork is a story of hardship, fear and pain that few people ever witness.
Our Pig Welfare Program was born out of compassion and urgency. We seek to end the suffering of pigs in Uganda by focusing on policy change, legal protection, community education and better farming practices. Because pigs are not just products, they are living beings who think, feel and suffer.
The Hidden Truth: How Pigs Suffer in Uganda
- Uganda has over 8 million pigs and pork consumption is increasing rapidly
especially in urban areas - Most pigs are raised in small-scale backyard systems with poor housing,
no bedding, contaminated water and limited feed - Many are kept in isolation, tied with ropes or confined in tight pens without
space to move or root - Painful procedures like castration and tail-docking are routinely carried out
without anesthesia or training - During transport, pigs are often dragged, tied by snouts or legs or forced
into overloaded trucks sometimes for hours - At slaughter, most pigs are killed without stunning, in full consciousness
often while witnessing the deaths of others
The suffering is widespread and yet there is no specific law in Uganda that
directly protects pigs from this kind of cruelty.
Our Main Focus; Policy and Legal Reform
Policy is the foundation of long-lasting change. Without strong laws, no amount of
compassion or education can fully protect animals. That’s why our number one
focus under the Pig Welfare program is to push for stronger, species-specific
legal protections for pigs in Uganda.
What the Current Law Lacks
Uganda’s main animal welfare law, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of
1957 is outdated and rarely enforced. It contains:
- No mention of pigs or their unique needs.
- No standards for housing, feeding, handling or transport.
- No mandatory stunning before slaughter.
- No penalties tailored to modern farming practices.
- No regulations for on-farm mutilations like castration or tail clipping.
This legal vacuum leaves pigs completely unprotected even as they suffer daily.
We work with legal experts, animal welfare coalitions, government bodies and
civil society to push for the following reforms:
Inclusion of Pig Welfare in National Animal Welfare Policy
We are lobbying for the National Animal Welfare Policy to include clear and
enforceable guidelines for
- Space and housing standards for pigs
- Access to clean water and proper nutrition
- Prohibition of extreme confinement and tethering
- Environmental enrichment to allow natural pig behaviors
- clear pre-stunning regulations
Our Policy Goals
Mandatory Pre-Slaughter Stunning
We are advocating for a legal requirement to stun pigs before slaughter and to train slaughterhouse workers in humane techniques. This will prevent the immense pain and fear pigs experience when slaughtered fully conscious.
Ban on Inhumane Transport
We are calling for a national directive on pig transportation banning:
- Tying pigs by their snouts, mouths, or legs.
- Transporting pigs in overloaded trucks or for excessive hours without food or water.
- Beating or dragging pigs during loading/unloading.
Regulation of On-Farm Practices
We are pushing for regulations that:
- Ban painful procedures like castration and tail docking unless carried out by trained personnel and under anesthesia.
- Set humane standards for farrowing crates and sow welfare.
- Require training for farmers and animal handlers in basic welfare.
Welfare-Based Inspection and Enforcement
Enforcement is Key
Laws mean nothing without enforcement. We aim to:
- Build capacity in District Veterinary Officers and Local Government inspectors.
- Develop animal welfare monitoring tools specific to pig farming systems.
- Encourage the creation of an Animal Welfare Desk at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Education & Empowerment: Supporting Farmers for Better Welfare
Many farmers mistreat pigs not because they want to but because they don’t know better or lack resources. We support smallholder pig farmers with:
- Training in humane farming: clean pens, enrichment, proper feed and water.
- Affordable welfare-friendly solutions: like dry bedding or shaded pens.
- Access to veterinary services and disease prevention.
- Dialogue to show how better welfare = healthier pigs.
We never shame farmers; we stand beside them, offering knowledge, tools and empathy.
Campaign Spotlight: "Pigs Deserve Better"
“Pigs Deserve Better” is our national awareness campaign. It speaks directly to farmers, traders, consumers, and policymakers. The campaign tells the truth that pigs feel pain and fear just like any other animal.
It urges Ugandans to treat pigs with dignity whether they are raising them or shaping laws.
The campaign features:
- Posters, school talks, and social media content.
- Documentaries.
- Radio programs in local languages.
- Visual guides showing what suffering looks like and how to prevent it.
We believe that compassion grows from understanding, and this campaign brings the truth to light.
The Bigger Picture
When we speak for pigs, we are speaking for a more just and compassionate Uganda — one where laws protect the voiceless and empathy is part of our food system. This isn’t just about animals. It’s about:
- Human dignity.
- Public health.
- Environmental sustainability.
- National pride in doing the right thing.
Let’s Stand Up for the Forgotten
Uganda’s pigs have suffered in silence for too long. They deserve better housing, better handling, better laws, and most of all, a better life.
Whether you’re a policymaker, a teacher, a consumer, or a farmer, you have a role to play in building a Uganda where pigs are no longer forgotten.
Join our campaign. Share their story. Speak up.
Because pigs deserve better and so does our society.