Atiak Sugar Factory commissioned by President Museveni employs over 2,000 people

 

Last evening, President Museveni commissioned the Atiak Sugar Factory in Amuru District Northern Uganda. The factory is owned by entrepreneur Amina Moghe Hersi, while government holds 41 percent shares through the Uganda Development Corporation.

 

The factory employs 2,000 workers and impacts on more than 20,000 people and their families. The neighbours who have sim sim, malakwang, potatoes and other things have got market for their goods from the factory workers.

 

 

During the commissioning of the factory, President Museveni said that for a country to industrialise, it needs the following; labour, natural resources, capital, knowledge and entrepreneurship. The last group refers to people who have the spectacles to see opportunities which others do not see. Our stock of entrepreneurs in Uganda is growing.

 

He added that once a factory is in Uganda, it's a Ugandan factory irrespective of ownership criticizing  some Ugandans who talk of Indian factories, that those are in India not Uganda.

 

Museveni complained about some people in Acholi who were opposing suchdevelopments. “This is terrible. Why would you reject progress? When I passed here in 1968, all I saw was grassland, fit for grazing cows. Then Amina Hersi came with different spectacles and here we are,” He said.

The new factory adds to Uganda’s capacity to produce sugar for internal consumption and export.

The president encouraged the locals to support the factory they will all also benefit directly or indirectly. “when you get a factory like this, please support it. Even if it does not directly employ you, there are many spill-over benefits. The nearby shops, schools, and other facilities will all benefit,” he remarked.

 

Museveni also revealed that for Atiak, they are using outgrowers as the fulcrum. Much of the sugarcane will be grown by locals. Each of these families will have five acres ploughed and planted for them by the factory. The families will look after the cane and will each earn Shs18 million after 18 months.

 

He thanked Amina for being a freedom fighter, that she is like her uncle Museveni who does not give up even when he is abused.