Helping families work towards more secure livelihoods through livestock, practical skills and shared responsibility.
The project aims to support 60 families in Binzi, Uganda with five piglets each. That is a target of 300 piglets, alongside planned start-up feed, care and training.
These figures describe the project goal. They are not a count of families already supported or piglets already distributed.
The project uses local Ugandese pigs, a type described in the International Livestock Research Institute’s breed factsheet for Uganda. Usually black, sometimes spotted, these pigs have medium-length bodies, large heads with tapering snouts, medium-to-large ears and long tails.
ILRI describes local Ugandese pigs as hardy and able to cope with lower-quality feed and challenges such as mange and worms. This resilience does not mean immunity: balanced feeding, clean housing and veterinary care still matter. Shade, fresh water and ventilation help protect them from heat stress.
Local piglets grow slowly. ILRI lists mature females (sows) at 70–120 kg and mature males (boars) at 100–150 kg. These are adult weight ranges, not six-month targets. Families need time, feed and ongoing care to raise their animals; a sale date cannot be promised.
Local sows are known for good mothering and fairly high milk production. ILRI describes average-sized litters, with large litters—such as 15 piglets—possible under intensive management, not a typical expectation. Pregnancy in pigs lasts about 114 days; surviving litter size and breeding frequency depend on nutrition, health and care.
With the right care, young pigs can grow into saleable livestock or suitable breeding animals. That potential is why practical training and ongoing care matter as much as providing the first piglets.
External links: ILRI: Local / Ugandese pig breed factsheet (June 2022, PDF); FAO: pig reproduction; ILRI: heat stress in Uganda; FAO: local breeds and adaptation.
Families need reliable ways to meet everyday needs, including food, school materials, clothing and healthcare. The Piglet Project is intended to help households develop a source of income and strengthen their farming skills.
The families described in the project include widows, single-parent households and households where an older child has taken on a parent's responsibilities. Read about the intended beneficiaries.
More about the challenges and proposed approach · Project goals
At the existing planning estimate of €40 per piglet, €200 helps fund five piglets for one family. Feed, veterinary care and other support are additional costs. Current prices and the full operating budget still need confirmation.
See the planning budget and ways to contribute.
Visit the Updates page for the current reporting status and an explanation of how contributions relate to documented results.
The Foundation also describes support for education, agriculture, water and housing. Explore the other areas of work, or contact Fr. Emmanuel Kasibante for more information.