Jinja gets more factories
Jinja, once known for its industrial prowess, is seeing a resurgence as new factories set up in the area.
The latest addition is the multibillion Maganjo Grain Milling Plant, which deals in cereals like white maize, sorghum, and soybeans.
Jinja Mayor Peter Kasolo revealed that currently Jinja is home to over 200 factories, including agro-processing, manufacturing and others.
"Some people say Jinja lost its industrial glory but it is not true, we have more factories than ever before," he said.
Kasolo notes many businesses conglomerate like Madhvani and Patel of Nile Agro are still opening new factories in Jinja.
"Away from the usual politics, we have many factories and when i say we have over 200 factories i am not wrong," he added.
The latest Maganjo Grain Milling Plant, commissioned by Minister for Presidency, Milly Babalanda, is valued at Shs10 billion and has a daily capacity of crushing 150 tonnes.
The plant will deal in grains like wheat, sorghum and soya beans. However, the plant faces challenges due to the unavailability of local raw materials, particularly wheat, which must be imported.
The proprietor of Maganjo Grain milling, Benon Luggya, says he spends a lot of money to import wheat hence he is requested government to empower him with technical knowledge in wheat growing.
"Importation has its own challenges, you incur a lot of expenses in taxes, transport costs, among others, we need to start growing our own wheat locally to save us all those encumbrances," he said.
Luggya revealed that he secured 400 acres of land in Kapchorwa to start growing wheat but because he lacks the technical know-how, he can't kick start.
"That's why we need government to give us expertise in wheat growing because we have land but we need technical guidance," he said.
Luggya is optimistic that they will be buying locally grown cereals and he encouraged local farmers to start growing Maize in nig quantities.
"Let government also help farmers with post harvest management, for proper quality, majority farmers don't know how to handle crops after harvesting which sometimes compromises the quality," he said.
Minister Babalanda praised the government's efforts in creating a favourable environment for local investors.
"Some people always say, government promotes only foreign investors but that is not true, you have heard from Mr Luggya that he has been getting Finances from Uganda Development Bank (UDB) but he is local investor," she said
"I thank government for the favourable working environment for investors, there is security everywhere across the country brought by NRM government," Babalanda said.
