Collin Muyanja: Transforming Uganda’s Meat Industry from the Ground Up

In a country with an abundance of meat products yet an unfortunate gap in quality, one man is rewriting the script. Collin Muyanja, the CEO of Ranchers’ Finest, is not only reshaping Uganda’s meat processing sector but also challenging the perception that only imported meat can be of high quality.

Appearing on the Morning Switch Show’s "Meet the Boss" segment on Next Radio, Muyanja shared the journey that has defined his path—from the telecoms sector to pioneering the meat industry.

Muyanja’s professional journey began far from abattoirs and meat counters. After studying Mass Communication at Makerere University, he landed a job as a sales representative with Airtel in central Uganda.

His sales acumen quickly propelled him through the ranks—first to regional manager and then to national sales manager.

“I realised that in everything you do, passion matters a lot more than academics or even attitude,” Muyanja recounted.

“When I did my first gig at Airtel, selling SIM cards, I discovered a deep passion for sales and marketing.”

Born in Nairobi, Muyanja’s early childhood was shaped by life in exile, a result of political insurgency in Uganda at the time.

When his family returned, he enrolled at Busoga College Mwiri, which provided his first taste of boarding school life, followed by studies at Progressive Campus in Bweyogerere.

His first big commission from Airtel earned while hustling on Kampala’s streets—was put to memorable use: a sharp new suit and celebratory drinks with friends.

“I went down to sell SIM cards to about 20 street handset retailers. I promised them a cut, and that’s how I managed to sell,” he said.

“They wanted to make me permanent staff, but I rejected the offer because the commission was better than a salary. However, my boss called me and said it wasn’t a request!”

His success even caught the attention of MTN, who headhunted him after he repeatedly outmanoeuvred their upcountry activations.

Yet, it was in the meat processing industry that Muyanja found a new mission: raising the bar for Ugandan beef. At Ranchers’ Finest, Muyanja’s focus is squarely on quality and hygiene an area he believes is sorely overlooked in the local industry.

“Hygiene is one thing people take for granted when dealing with food, especially meat products,” he emphasised. “Last year, we opened our factory to the press to show that our product is proudly Ugandan—though the branding and quality often make people think it’s imported.”

The biggest hurdle? The inconsistent value chain in Uganda’s meat industry. Muyanja explains that Uganda’s cattle-keeping practices remain largely cultural rather than commercial. Ankole cattle, for example, typically weigh no more than 300kgs, far below international standards.

But Muyanja sees huge potential. “We need to build scale if we want to compete internationally,” he said. “It starts with improving cattle nutrition and yields.

We’ve tried to engage the media to help people understand that the right pasture and feed are critical.”

He calls on the government to partner with businesses like Ranchers’ Finest to build a robust structure that supports Uganda’s quest to take its beef to the global market.

For Muyanja, transforming Uganda’s meat sector is about more than just business—it’s about pride, innovation, and putting Uganda’s best on the world stage.