Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni has described the commissioning of Kaliro Sugar Factory as a model investment that demonstrates the power of private capital in driving Uganda’s economic transformation.
In a message delivered on his behalf by Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Francis Mwebesa during the factory’s inauguration on Friday, the President praised the investment by businessman Ashish Monpara for adding value to agriculture, creating jobs, and reducing Uganda’s dependence on imports.
“This factory represents the spirit of Uganda’s economic transformation—adding value to our agricultural produce, creating jobs for our people, and reducing imports while opening doors to new export markets. I congratulate Ashish Monpara and the people of Kaliro for making this vision a reality,” Museveni said.
The state-of-the-art sugar processing plant, located in Kaliro District, is already employing 1,500 people and producing 78,000 tons of raw sugar annually from its daily crushing capacity of 2,500 tons of cane.
Minister of State for Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite said the project aligns perfectly with Uganda’s industrialization agenda under the National Development Plan III and Vision 2040.
“Uganda’s future lies in agro-industrialization. Investments like Kaliro Sugar Factory directly align with our national goals by creating thousands of jobs, empowering farmers, and stimulating regional economies. Government will continue to provide an enabling environment for such ventures to thrive,” she said.
Ashish Monpara, the proprietor of Kaliro Sugar Factory, described the plant as more than an industrial investment, calling it a promise to farmers, young people, and the country at large.
“Kaliro Sugar is not just a factory—it is a promise. A promise to the farmers who rise before dawn to tend their cane, that their sweat will translate into prosperity. A promise to the young men and women of Busoga, that dignified jobs and skills await them here at home. A promise to Uganda, that every ton of sugar we produce strengthens its economy, reduces imports, and opens new export doors across East Africa,” Monpara said.
He added that his dream is for the factory to become “a heartbeat of transformation,” committed not only to producing sugar but also to generating opportunity, dignity, and shared growth in partnership with government, farmers, and local communities.
Officials revealed that the factory is already making a significant impact and has ambitious expansion plans. Over the next two years, its crushing capacity is projected to rise to 8,000 tons per day, with annual output reaching 230,000 tons of sugar.
Direct employment is expected to double to 3,000 jobs, while indirect opportunities in transport, services, and trade could benefit over 10,000 people.
The commissioning of Kaliro Sugar Factory marks a major milestone in Uganda’s agro-industrialization journey and underscores the critical role of private investment in delivering national development goals.
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