By Wadulo Arnold Mark
Early this month on September 3rd, the State Minister for Industry, Hon. David Bahati, conducted a monitoring visit to three key manufacturing facilities in Seeta and Namanve to address critical operational bottlenecks. The tour aimed to align local manufacturing with the government’s agro-industrialisation agenda and President Museveni’s 10-point program for building an independent, integrated, and self-sustaining economy.
At Avado Industries Ltd., an avocado oil processor that has invested $3.5 million and employs over 300 workers, the most prominent challenge raised was the unchecked export of raw avocados. This raw material flight forces the factory to operate at just 120 tons per day despite having a processing capacity of 300 tons. Management explained that processing Grade B fruits, which otherwise have “zero value” on the open market, creates 2.5 casual jobs per ton and keeps domestic value within Uganda. Avado also lamented severe power grid instability, paying up to UGX 20 million monthly in electricity bills while spending an additional $5,000 on diesel for generators due to frequent low current. In response, Hon. Bahati promised to work with UNBS to establish standard regulations for avocado oil and requested a formal brief to restrict raw fruit exports, noting that value addition must be prioritized.
In Namanve, RHP Packaging Ltd. demonstrated the power of local industrial integration, employing 120 people and contributing UGX 6 billion in taxes last financial year. The company, which has invested $22 million, highlighted challenges with expanding power connections. Highlighting packaging as a critical pillar for an independent economy where local producers no longer import labels, Hon. Bahati directed the management to formally submit their power requirements so the ministry can engage the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) to extend the grid.
The final stop was Regal Paints (U) Ltd., which employs 300 people. The paint manufacturer’s expansion plans are currently crippled by two major bottlenecks: poor road infrastructure and access to expansion land. Acknowledging that Uganda’s growing population and construction boom will drive massive paint demand, Minister Bahati committed to coordinating with the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) to secure land. He warned that the government would review idle public land allocated to non-performing investors.
Concluding his tour, Hon. Bahati reiterated that the government exists to grow manufacturing, promising that the Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives will maintain regular follow-ups to ensure these industrial bottlenecks are permanently cleared.
