President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Meat and Beans Processing Factory at Katonga in Kisozi, Gomba District, calling on farmers to embrace commercial production to support Uganda’s agro-industrialisation agenda.
The modern processing facility is a joint venture between NEC, the commercial arm of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), and Kenyan investor Mr Francis Ragwa, who is the Managing Director of the NEC Meat and Beans Processing Plant.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Museveni congratulated Mr Ragwa for investing in Uganda’s agro-processing sector, saying the project represents an important step towards value addition, job creation and industrial growth.
“First of all, I want to congratulate Mr Ragwa for taking the initiative. Yes, NEC has given you the land, but the ideas were yours, and I thank you and congratulate you,” President Museveni said.
The President said Uganda has the capacity to supply all the raw materials needed by the factory, noting that the challenge has been organising farmers and creating dependable markets.
“The issue of the supply of the required raw materials is just organisational. Uganda is now the biggest producer of coffee in Africa. Once I got the economics right, I realised our small-scale farmers could earn good money even from one acre of land,” he said.
President Museveni cited the transformation of Uganda’s coffee sector as evidence that proper planning, market access and farmer mobilisation can increase production.
He said coffee production has grown from three million bags to about nine million bags and is projected to reach 12 million and eventually 20 million bags.
The President also highlighted growth in the dairy sector, where annual milk production has increased from 200 million litres in 1986 to about 5.4 billion litres currently.
He attributed the growth to better understanding of economics, improved production methods and mobilisation of farmers.
On livestock, President Museveni said Uganda’s cattle population has grown from about three million in 1986 to approximately 16 million today.
“What remains is to streamline production because the real stimulus is the market. Once I am sure about the market, I can mobilise Ugandans using the correct economics,” he said.
Factory Supply Model
President Museveni said government would determine the best approach for supplying the processing plant, either through large-scale commercial farmers or organised smallholder farmers.
“We have to decide whether to rely on intensive farming or extensive farming. If we decide to use large-scale farmers, even 100 farmers producing about 300 cattle annually can sustain this factory. If we choose to involve peasants, we shall mobilise them once we know exactly what is required,” he said.
The President also challenged government leaders to take greater responsibility in supporting investments within their sectors, describing ministers as “pastors” responsible for guiding and developing their respective areas.
He questioned why some licensed investments continue facing challenges such as unreliable electricity supply after receiving government approval.
“Once the Uganda Investment Authority licenses a factory, the government should already know where it is going to operate and ensure all the necessary infrastructure is available,” President Museveni said.
He expressed confidence that the current government team would improve coordination and address bottlenecks affecting industrial development.
UPDF as a Productive Force
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, described the factory as another milestone in Uganda’s industrialisation journey.
He thanked President Museveni for supporting initiatives aimed at transforming Uganda’s economy and commended Mr Ragwa, NEC engineers, contractors and UPDF personnel for their contribution to the project.
“The UPDF is not only a fighting force but also a productive force. This factory is not just about business; it is about strategic logistics, troop welfare and national economic transformation,” Hon. Kiryowa said.
The Minister said Uganda had for many years relied on imported canned beef and beans for military operations, adding that the new facility would reduce import dependence and strengthen national self-sufficiency.
He pledged that the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs would prioritise procurement from the factory and encouraged other government institutions to support locally manufactured products.
“Rather than exporting raw materials, Uganda is now processing, adding value and earning more from its own products. This is fully aligned with the government’s agro-industrialisation agenda and the tenfold economic growth strategy,” Kiryowa said.
He added that the factory had already created employment opportunities for engineers, food scientists, technicians and other young Ugandans, while providing markets for livestock and bean farmers.
NEC Targets Beef Export Market
NEC Managing Director Lt. Gen. James Mugira said the project was initiated more than seven years ago but faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic before construction resumed.
He said the factory would contribute to value addition, employment creation and reduction of government expenditure on imported canned food products, including canned beans previously sourced from Brazil.
Lt Gen Mugira encouraged livestock farmers to take advantage of the market created by the facility, saying Uganda has the potential to become a major global beef exporter.
He cited Botswana as an example of a country that has benefited from beef exports despite having fewer cattle than Uganda, due to investments in veterinary services, disease control, vaccination and export systems.
“Uganda has a better climate, abundant pasture, sufficient labour and our Ankole cattle are internationally recognised for producing quality beef with low cholesterol. If the Ministry of Agriculture strengthens disease control, vaccination and export certification systems, Uganda can become a major player in the global beef market,” he said.
Investor Highlights Regional Partnership
Mr Francis Ragwa, Managing Director of NEC Meat and Beans Processing Plant, said the project demonstrates the potential of regional cooperation and private sector investment.
He said the joint venture agreement with NEC was signed in 2019 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are proud that today we have made it happen. This factory is proof that Africans can invest, create industries and employ themselves. We currently have about 100 workers,” Ragwa said.
He said Uganda’s Ankole cattle provide significant opportunities for value addition and exports, urging the country to maximise its livestock resources.
Ragwa also commended President Museveni for maintaining peace and stability, saying the environment has encouraged investors to establish businesses in Uganda.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Hon. Henry Musasizi, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Sanjay Tanna, Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury Mr Ramathan Ggoobi, Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) Executive Director Prof. Charles Kwesiga, senior UPDF officers, investors and local leaders.