UGANDA, Kayunga | Real Muloodi News | Officials from the State House and the secretariat for resident district commissioners (RDCs) were dismayed to discover two government-constructed factories in Kayunga District lying idle and neglected.
The USh2 billion soap and cooking oil factory and a USh2.5 billion pineapple juice factory, both located in Busaale Village, were established to improve the livelihoods of locals.
Dr James Tweheyo, a Deputy RDC at the secretariat of RDCs, led the team that inspected the factories to determine whether the government-funded projects provided value for money.
The pineapple juice processing factory, constructed by the National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads) on the directive of President Museveni, was intended to add value to pineapples.
However, the facility has not commenced operations despite construction works being completed two years ago.
Similarly, the soap and cooking oil factory, another presidential donation for youth and women in the district, ceased operations just two months after its commissioning by President Museveni in 2015.
Local leaders reported that some of the machinery at the factory had been vandalised.
Dr Tweheyo expressed concern about the situation, noting, “How can such a factory meant to add value to pineapples and create jobs for locals remain unutilised for years?“
Ms. Gertrude Obedi, another State House official, agreed and emphasised the need to ensure the factories become operational.
Local leaders also indicated that the soap and cooking oil factory was allegedly taken over by Ms Aida Nantaba, the Kayunga District Woman MP.
Since 2014, the factory has been abandoned, and the equipment, including trucks and a tractor, are now used by cattle traders and farmers.
Ms. Nantaba, who was present during the inspection, did not participate in the exercise. She had previously stated in an interview that the factory’s closure was due to a lack of raw materials such as groundnuts and simsim, which are not commonly grown in Kayunga District.
The initial plan to import these raw materials from other regions proved to be costly due to transportation expenses.
In 2020, Kayunga leaders requested the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate the closure of the soap factory.
The value chain development officer at Naads, Mr Michael Shiwu, previously announced plans to open the factory by the end of last year, but this did not happen.
A source familiar with the situation explained that the delay in opening the pineapple juice processing factory stems from ownership disputes involving pastor Aaron Mutebi, to whom President Museveni donated the factory.
Ms. Hadja Nakakande, Naads’ public relations officer, did not respond to inquiries at press time but stated last year, “We are sorting management issues before we can open it.”
Both factories were constructed to create local employment opportunities, add value to farmers’ produce, and boost household incomes.
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
Traders Open Shops Following Meeting with President Museveni
Court Halts Baroda Bank from Selling-off Shumuk Property Amid Legal Dispute
Local Investors Seek Equality Accusing Top Officials of Tax Evasion
