UGANDA – Kike Tropical Fruits Limited, a family-owned company, has finally opened their extraction and refinery plant in Nakasongola to steer value addition growth in the fruit sector.

The proprietor of the factory, Mr. Francis Mugabe informed that the plant will highly benefit the surrounding community because the fruits to be used in the factory will be supplied by local farmers.

“We offer them ready markets for their fruits. Not only do we offer them ready market, but we also employ their children,” Mr. Mugabe asserted,

Further announcing that the company now exports its pineapple concentrate to the European Union (EU) market.

“Our products have been tested and they meet the required standards of the EU market and that is why we are exporting,” he explained.

Based on Mugabe’s review, the fruit factory meets only 30% of the required volumes of mango pulp for the local customers, hence the support request from the government for the acquisition of machines that can contain a sustainable capacity.

The president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni was invited to the opening event to oversee the commissioning process.

During the opening, Museveni thanked Mugabe, the proprietor of the factory, for joining Uganda’s fight against poverty and assured him of his government’s support.

The President further emphasized his call on commercial agriculture stating how it is one of the best ways of fighting poverty and creating wealth.

Uganda’s horticultural sector is fast growing, with fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs) exports worth USD 35 million per year. 

According to CIO Africa, the country is the second-largest producer of fresh fruits and vegetables in Sub-Saharan Africa, after Nigeria, producing about 11 million tons per year. 

The crop sub-sector, which includes horticulture, contributes 14.4% of Uganda’s national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The report further outlines that the horticultural industry provides one of the most promising areas for increasing incomes in the rural areas, improving the nutrition of the people, and diversification of exports.

“It ensures provision of raw materials for agro-based industries, and creation of employment, especially for the youth owing to the fact that horticultural crops are high-value crops with wide market opportunities locally, regionally and internationally,” reads the report.

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