President Yoweri Museveni has commissioned Kyamuhunga Tea factory in Bushenyi district which can produce 1.5 million kilogrammes of processed tea every year and has an installed annual capacity of 3 million kilogrammes.
The President who has been on a 2-day tour of Bushenyi district also commended the family of the late Mukwasibwoha for the establishment of that tea factory.
“The family of the late Mukwasibwoha has played a big role in establishing the agro-based industry. It is good to note that it has employed 140 people”, the President said yesterday at the ceremony of commissioning the factory. He said that the new tea industry would go a long way towards enabling tea farmers in the area to add value to their products as well as getting more income. He noted that the factory’s installed output of 3 million kilogrammes of processed tea per year was a big contribution to the national economy adding that it was quite impressive addition to the country’s annual production of 60 million kilogrammes of tea per annum.
President Museveni said that although conflicts in the Middle East had contributed to a decline in the consumption of tea on the international market he was, however, optimistic that this was a temporary setback. He called on tea farmers to be patient as peace returns to that region.
He said that the NRM Government was concentrating on building infrastructure particularly roads and electricity. The President announced a donation of Shs.10 million to boost the activities of Nyanga SACCO in Mitooma district. He also received and welcomed new converts from the opposition to the NRM.
Earlier, President Museveni commissioned Kateramo SACCO in Kantunda Trading Center and donated Shs.10 million to the SACCO. He also commissioned the public water point in Kantunda and assured other areas that they would equally benefit from similar schemes. He urged wananchi to work hard to ensure sustainable household income.
The President strongly warned the people of Bushenyi against wet land destruction in the name of agricultural activities. He reminded them that protection and preservation of wetlands was important in ensuring good water on a sustainable basis. He advised wananchi to make contours on hillsides in their agricultural activities as a measure of controlling soil erosion.
Mr. Museveni also toured the fish breeding industry run by the Ministry of Animal Industry and Fisheries in Ruhandagazi which facility is earmarked to serve all fish farmers in the area. He also conducted a ground-breaking ceremony of the 20 kms Bushenyi – Kakoma – Rutookye phase of electricity line and donated Shs10 million to Nyarubaare SACCO. He stressed the need for every household to strive towards the eradication of poverty.