Have you been wondering about the state of veganism and animal rights in Uganda? Well, we’ve got you covered! Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera, founder of the Uganda Vegan Society and a passionate advocate for animals, joins us this week and fills us in on the state of veganism and, on the other hand, the growth of factory farming, in Uganda and Africa in general. She explains some of her methods for advocating for plant-based diets, including teaching people how to make affordable vegan meals at home, organizing Vegan Restaurant Week in Kampala and beyond, helping people organize potlucks, and how the annual Uganda Vegan Festival is helping her bring veganism to the forefront. We also discuss the impact of diet on the health of the average Ugandan, the unfortunate growth of dairy consumption, and why Nabaasa believes that  sharing the health benefits of a vegan diet is often the most effective route when persuading people to change their habits. 

*We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera*

Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera is the Founder of the Uganda Vegan Society and Africa Regional Coordinator for ProVeg International. The Uganda Vegan Society is a volunteer nongovernmental organization that advocates for reduced animal consumption, healthy eating habits, compassion towards animals, and environmental conservation.

“We need to promote and also invest in the production and accessibility of dairy alternatives.” – Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera

Highlights for Episode 677: 

• Some of the diet related health issues Ugandans face
• Reasons why dairy products are such an important part of the Ugandan diet, and the difficulty finding affordable dairy replacements
• How the Ugandan president sharing his diet has been helpful
• The need for funding to help address the issues of diets heavy in animal products
• The dangers of industrial farming being introduced widely in Africa 
• What it’s like being an animal rights activist in Uganda
• The traditional Ugandan bonded relationship with farmed animals and how it differs from the relationship we have with them in the West
• The impact of the home slaughter of cows, goats, and hens on people’s diets
• Nabaasa’s activist projects, including African Vegan Restaurant Week in January 2023 and how she is connecting with other organizations across the continent

Resources:

• Many people are celebrating Kwanzaa — we’ll find out what’s on the menu
• Get HAPPIER with Gretchen Rubin—listen to the award-winning podcast.

Connect with Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera:

• Africa Vegan Restaurant Week
• Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera on Twitter
• Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera on LinkedIn

Connect with Our Hen House:

• Our Hen House Website
• Our Hen House on Facebook
• Our Hen House on Instagram
• Our Hen House on Twitter

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Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.

The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

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This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.