The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Francis Mwebesa, has conducted a courtesy visit to the newly established Orana Gate fruit factory in Namanve, as preparations intensify for its official commissioning scheduled for May this year.
The factory has been set up to add value to Uganda’s major fruit produce, including pineapples, mangoes, and passion fruits, by processing them into pulp and concentrates. The initiative is aimed at addressing the long-standing structural gap between farmers and markets through value addition and the creation of more stable, export-ready products.
According to Richard Munyaneza, the facility will work closely with cooperative groups and out-growers to strengthen the supply chain while promoting better farming practices.
“We plan to work with cooperative groups and out-growers to establish a nucleus farm for training in organic farming, which will improve quality, increase incomes, and stabilize the supply chain,” Munyaneza said.
He added that the factory has the capacity to process five tonnes of fresh fruit per hour, translating to approximately 120 tonnes per day. In addition to processing, the facility will serve as an incubation hub to support farmers in value addition and agribusiness development.
Fruit processing factories in Uganda play a critical role in transforming locally grown produce such as mangoes, oranges, and passion fruits into higher-value products for both domestic and international markets.
These facilities help reduce post-harvest losses and provide farmers with more reliable market access.
However, the sector continues to face challenges, including maintaining safety standards, ensuring consistent quality, and competing with cheaper imported concentrates.
Uganda’s favorable climate supports the organic cultivation of a wide range of tropical fruits, positioning the country among Africa’s leading producers.
Key fruits grown include pineapples, oranges, passion fruits, avocados, lemons, tomatoes, and apples, offering significant potential for agro-industrial growth and export expansion.