By Lilian Ntege
When Olivia Nalweyiso and her husband bought a small piece of land in Mwererwe, Matugga, two years ago, they envisioned a quiet and sustainable retirement plan. They never imagined that their choice of animal, calm, clean, and almost silent, would grow into a thriving family enterprise and a model for smart, modern farming.
“I never liked noisy animals. Chickens are too loud, goats are stubborn, and cows need too much space. I wanted something peaceful, and that’s how I landed on rabbits,” Nalweyiso says.
That simple choice birthed Serenity Springs Integrated Farm.
From idea to enterprise
The idea began as a family discussion about the future. “I knew I would run the farm full-time. So I had to choose something I genuinely liked,” she says.
She and her husband researched extensively, visiting farms and taking online agripreneurship and rabbit management courses. They discovered that rabbit farming offered both tranquillity and strong economic potential. Rabbit urine, for instance, is a valuable organic fertiliser rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
By 2024, Serenity Springs was formally registered and had joined an out-grower contract guaranteeing a market for its produce. They began operations in September 2025 with 20 rabbits, though one died within two days. That was painful but it taught us patience,” she says. Today, the farm keeps 82 rabbits in 128 cages, anchored by 19 breeding does that form the foundation of production.
Smart, quiet farm
At Serenity Springs, order and hygiene come first. The rabbits live in permanent houses with wire-mesh cages and an automated water-nipple system that supplies clean water throughout the day. Waste flows into a septic tank, preventing infection and enabling urine collection for fertiliser.
“We clean every morning and restrict visitors,” Nalweyiso explains. Adding: “Rabbits easily catch infections, so hygiene is important.”
Feeding follows a precise routine: 100 grams of pellets each morning, followed by Napier grass, Sukuma wiki, and other greens. “The right balance is 20 per cent pellets and 80 per cent grass,” she notes.
Breeds, breeding
The farm keeps six breeds: New Zealand White, Californian, Dutch, American Chinchilla, New Zealand Red, and Angora. Each has unique strengths, New Zealand Whites grow fast, Californians are excellent mothers, while Angoras are prized for their wool.
A single doe can reproduce up to four times a year, producing as many as eight kits per litter. “After nursing for six weeks, we give her two weeks’ rest before reintroducing her to the buck,” Nalweyiso explains.
Finding market
Like many beginners, Nalweyiso initially worried about where to sell. The out-grower scheme eased that concern. “It gave us confidence, we already had a buyer before our first sale,” she says.
Social media soon expanded their reach. “People see our rabbits on TikTok and call to order. Even a restaurant asked for meat. We’ll start supplying next year,” she says.
Rabbit meat sells for UGX 15,000–20,000 per kilogram, while breeding stock goes for about UGX 150,000. Rabbit urine and droppings also earn extra income as organic fertilizer, a perfect zero-waste model.
Challenges, lessons
Feeding management was her first hurdle. “At first, we didn’t know how to portion feed, sometimes we overfed, sometimes we starved them,” she admits. Through consistency, she mastered the routine.
Kits remain delicate. “If you disturb the nest too early, they can die,” she says. Monthly deworming, multivitamin supplements, and strict hygiene have reduced losses.
Financially, the venture remains self-funded.
She says: “We haven’t received government support yet. But I’ve applied to the Tony Elumelu Foundation and hope to benefit from Operation Wealth Creation.”
Farming as family affair
Rabbit farming at Serenity Springs is truly a family venture. Nalweyiso’s children help feed, clean, and monitor the rabbits daily. “They’re learning responsibility early. They already know every cage and breed,” she says.
Her goal is to expand to 300 cages and 60 breeding does by 2025, alongside a horticulture wing that uses rabbit manure and urine for vegetable farming.
Uganda’s quiet livestock revolution
Rabbit farming in Uganda is small but growing fast. The Ministry of Agriculture reports over 1,000 new entrants in the past three years, driven by urban restaurants and health-conscious consumers.
Rabbit meat is lean, protein-rich, and ideal for those avoiding red meat. Experts believe Uganda could follow Kenya and South Africa in establishing formal rabbit-processing plants if farmers gain access to training and finance.
Beyond meat, there is value in fur, organic fertiliser, and youth training. A litre of rabbit urine can sell for about UGX 5,000 due to its pest-repelling properties.
As Uganda pursues Vision 2040 and food-security goals, small enterprises like Serenity Springs may quietly become engines of innovation.
“When I walk through the cages each morning and see the rabbits calm and healthy, I feel peace,” Nalweyiso says softly. “In their silence, I’ve found purposeand maybe our family’s future.”
