The commitment was made by Vice President Maj. Jessica Alupo during a tour of the China-Uganda Agricultural Industrial Park in Luweero District, where she represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Alupo said government’s support to industrialisation, especially in agriculture, is aimed at helping farmers and value-chain players move from subsistence production to commercial farming.
The China-Uganda Agricultural Industrial Park has become a key example of agricultural value addition, with facilities including a large-scale poultry project with capacity for more than one million birds, as well as pineapple and chili processing units.
The Vice President said such investments demonstrate how industrial development can create markets for farmers, reduce post-harvest losses and improve household incomes.
The park’s chairperson, Luo Heng, commended government for creating an environment that has attracted investment but appealed for improvements in infrastructure to support smooth operations.
“As industrial actors, we have created thousands of jobs, but we are currently burdened by poor road networks, inconsistent water supply and erratic electricity connectivity,” Luo said.
He asked government to address the challenges, saying reliable infrastructure is critical for expanding production and attracting more investors.
President Museveni, in a message delivered by Alupo, urged farmers to embrace commercial agriculture and take advantage of opportunities created by agro-processing industries.
“The government is now focused on ensuring that every farmer evolves from the survival-level approach to a professionalised system that elevates the standard of our agricultural output for the national and international market,” Museveni said.
The President said pineapple growing should be prioritised because large quantities of the fruit are wasted during peak seasons due to limited processing capacity and markets.
He encouraged Ugandans to invest in pineapple production, citing growing demand in international markets.
Luweero District Chairperson Erasito Kibirango welcomed the government’s focus on industrial development, saying it would help address long-standing challenges affecting the district.
Kibirango asked government to consider integrating Luweero into the Kampala Metropolitan Area development programmes, saying this would support improvements in infrastructure and create more opportunities for employment.
Minister for Luweero-Rwenzori Triangle Alice Kaboyo said the partnership with Chinese investors presents an opportunity for Luweero to maximise its agricultural potential.
She said the district has enough resources and manpower to contribute significantly to national food production if farmers embrace commercial agriculture.
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative Ezana Kasasa also praised the Uganda-China partnership, saying the adoption of modern and sustainable farming technologies would be critical in addressing food insecurity and poverty.
At the end of the visit, Alupo pledged that government would review concerns raised by investors regarding electricity, roads and water supply.
The China-Uganda Agricultural Industrial Park is expected to play a role in strengthening agro-processing, creating employment and supporting Uganda’s transition towards an industrial economy.