Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni has expressed disappointment with certain government stakeholders for failing to adequately support investors, citing the Ministry of Water and Ministry of Energy in particular.
He made these remarks during the commissioning of a cassava processing factory, Pura Organic Agro Tech Limited in Kiramata Village, Nabiswera Sub County, Nakasongola District.
“This is a factory here in the bush. Why can’t the government come here and help with the water? What is the problem?” President Museveni questioned.
He also addressed ongoing issues of power outages, attributing them to rampant vandalism, including the cutting of electricity poles.
“We are going to arrest them and handle them accordingly but don’t complain,” he warned.
The president also revealed he had previously instructed officials to stop taxing imported starch but pledged to follow up on the matter in the upcoming cabinet meeting and further committed to withdrawing VAT on investor-imported products to ease operations for foreign and local investors alike.
Pura Organic Agro Tech Limited, has faced significant operational challenges due to limited water access and unreliable electricity since the transition from UMEME to Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL).
“In the past month, we had power on only three days. Using diesel is very expensive,” said Executive Director Ramesh Babu. He appealed to the government to include their factory in the bulk water supply system linked to Lake Kyoga to resolve the persistent water shortage.
The president pledged government support to ensure smooth operation of the factory, which processes cassava into starch, flour, and fiber used for animal feed. The products are sold to various industries, including textile, paper, and briquette manufacturers, and are also exported to Kenya.
According to Dhanush Vijay, Head of Marketing and Sales, the factory currently processes 100 tonnes of starch per month from 700 tonnes of cassava. With expansion plans, they aim to increase processing capacity to 1,200 tonnes monthly, targeting regional export markets.
The factory sits on 1,200 acres of land, with 600 acres dedicated to cassava farming. It also runs an out-grower program, supplying farmers with inputs such as fertilisers and training them on modern farming practices to improve yields.
However, local farmers have expressed concerns over the price of cassava, which the factory buys at Shs 200 per kilogram. LC5 Chairperson Sam Kigula addressed their concerns, highlighting the company’s support, including tractors and farming inputs, and urged them to cooperate with the factory for mutual benefit.
Pura Organic Agro Tech Limited plans to expand by setting up ten more cassava processing factories across Uganda, with Nakasongola set to become a model starch processing district.
Minister of State for Investment and Privatisation, Evelyn Anite, commended Ramesh Babu for establishing Uganda’s first starch processing plant. “This is the first of its kind. Cassava that had zero value now has value,” she remarked, noting the potential for new pharmaceutical products, bookbinding materials, and job creation.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Trade, Gen. Wilson Mbadi, urged Ugandans to prioritise local products. “I urge you to prioritise quality, safety, and environmental sustainability,” he stated, encouraging domestic consumption and support for local industries.
The commissioning marks a significant step in Uganda’s agro-industrialisation efforts and highlights ongoing challenges investors face in rural areas.
For More News And Analysis About Uganda Follow Africa-Press
