“The Elite Agro has responded by sending a delegation to come and meet various stakeholders and visit areas where tea, Irish potatoes and starch making can be promoted,” the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives PS, Geraldine Ssali.
Zombo—30, November 2021: Zombo district’s dream of having a tea factory may soon come true after a delegation from United Arab Emirates-based Elite Group visited the district recently.
The delegation was led by Adbulmonem Almarzooqi–the managing director of Elite Argo Group, and they were, in Kisoro, on their first visit received by Dr. Samuel Mugasi, the executive director of the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) and officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, including area leaders.
The UAE delegation soon left for Northern Uganda—Zombo district. They visited tea estates, and interacted with different leaders, including farmers.
Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny assured the investors that the land is available, including one given by the King of Alur, Olarker Rauni III.
“Visibility study was done, tea is in place, farmers are willing to expand the acreage, and the district is so supportive so we are good to go,” Kwiyucwiny said.
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The minister also recognized the Edwin Foundation Tea Initiative (EFOTI) management for the good work done to build the capacity of farmers in the Zombo and Northern Uganda.
She introduced EFOTI to the investors and as usual, EFOTI’s director, Edwin Atukunda Beekunda showed them how they have been maintaining the “tea situation” in order to “control quality and quantity against all odds”.
The Northern Uganda minister assured the investors of full support and maximum cooperation in Zombo district and the region.
Speaking to TND News, Atukunda said at Abanga (where tea has many estates), they shared ideas. “At least all stakeholders were present, and all was promising. For the first time in Zombo the community were thrilled especially when the investors assured the farmers that they are not only coming with the factory alone.”
Elite Agro promised to provide fertilizers, chemicals and offered to support the capacity building of farmers.
Why they came, and why more are coming.
Recently when President visited the UAE, he invited various investors to come to Uganda.
According to Geraldine Ssali, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives in her letter to Chief Administrative Officers of Zombo, Jinja, Bushenyi, Kabarole, Kabale and others, the Elite Agro has responded by sending a delegation to come and meet various stakeholders and visit areas where tea, Irish potatoes and starch making can be promoted.