By Jesse Johnson James
The government through National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) has earmarked UGX 19 billion to construct a fruit processing factory in Nwoya district.
The factory is expected to add value to the abundant fruits in the district and other parts of northern Uganda.
The factory will be a partnership between NAADS, Delight Uganda Limited (manufacturers of Cheers juice), Nwoya Fruit Growers Cooperative Society, and Nwoya district local government.
Nakakande Khadija, the Communication Officer of NAADS told our reporter in an interview that the Nwoya Fruit Processing Factory project is a presidential pledge to the people of Nwoya and is expected to benefit 5,000 fruit out-growers in the district.
“Delight Uganda Limited approached the president because they [Delight] have over 1,000 acres of fruits in Nwoya and they are also working with around 5,000 out-growers who have 6,000 acres of mangoes, oranges, and guava,” said Khadija.
Khadija revealed that the fruit processing factory will have the capacity to process 12 metric tons of fruits per hour.
She revealed that procurement process for the factory is underway and that the actual work is expected to kick-off by the beginning of the next financial year.
Patrick Okello Oryema, the Nwoya district Chairman welcomed the project saying the over 5,000 fruits out-growers in the district will have their fruits ready for harvest in the next two years and that without the market provided by the factory, the farmers will struggle.
Once the establishment of the factory is complete, Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) will make a valuation to determine the shares of different partners like the government, Delight Uganda Limited and the Nwoya fruits out-growers cooperative.
