A newly established fruit processing facility in Namanve Industrial Park is expected to strengthen Uganda’s agro-industrial sector by providing a reliable market for farmers, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing household incomes.
The Shs 22.5 billion OranaGate Fruit Processing Factory, set to commence operations in May 2026, is a strategic partnership between Southgate Properties Ltd and Danish firm Orana AS.
The integrated fruit processing and bottling plant has the capacity to process five metric tons of fruit per hour.
The facility will add value to locally grown produce by transforming pineapples, mangoes, passion fruits and tomatoes into high-quality pulp and concentrates for both regional and international markets.
During a tour of the factory ahead of its commissioning, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Francis Mwebesa, commended the investors for their confidence in Uganda and highlighted the factory’s potential to create jobs and expand export opportunities.
“This is the kind of investment envisioned under the Buy Uganda, Build Uganda policy. By processing our fruits locally, we are not only creating employment but also providing a reliable market for farmers,” Mwebesa said.
He also lauded the factory’s co-packing model, which will enable Ugandan entrepreneurs to manufacture their own branded products using OranaGate’s facilities, easing entry barriers for small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing sector.
Country Director Richard Munyaneza said the project aims to bridge the structural gap between farm production and market access by producing shelf-stable products for regional distribution and export.
The plant will process fruits into pulp and concentrate while also offering co-packing services for products such as fruit juice, bottled water, herbal drinks, condiments like mayonnaise and jam, as well as dried fruits.
To sustain raw material supply, OranaGate plans to establish a nucleus farm in key pineapple-growing areas to provide agronomy training and technical support to out-growers.
The initiative will promote organic farming practices, including recycling fruit waste into compost for distribution to farmers.
Danish co-director Niels Osterberg emphasised the factory’s commitment to meeting international quality and organic certification standards to help Ugandan produce fetch premium prices in global markets.
With a filling line capable of producing 4,000 bottles per hour and expansion plans that include a carbonated soft drink line with a capacity of 12,000 bottles per hour in the second phase starting in 2027, the OranaGate facility is positioning itself as a hub for agro-processing, SME incubation and technology transfer.
Officials say the investment will boost agricultural productivity through farmer training, extension services and a ready market for produce, while also increasing export revenue and creating employment opportunities for Ugandan
