Kike Tropical Fruits Limited, a fruit extraction and refinery factory in Kakooge, Nakasongola District, has been commissioned by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

The proprietor of the factory, Francis Mugabe, informed the President that the fruits they use in the factory are supplied by local farmers from across the country. “Not only do we offer them ready market, but we also employ their children,” Mugabe told the President.

He added that Kike Tropical Fruits Limited 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 said.

Mugabe informed the President that he had to acquire a loan from the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) to upscale and expand the capacity. “We were able to be financed half of what we requested because we lacked collateral, but I think we shall harmonise that,” he said.

“We are meeting only 30 percent of the required volumes of mango pulp for our local customers, so we are missing out on the remaining 70 percent. We need you to support us and acquire machines that can contain that capacity so that we can take up the remaining 70 percent.”

Established in 2019, the processing capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes of fresh fruits each season and has registered and supports more than one thousand farmers of mangoes, pineapples and passion fruits from the districts of Greater Luwero Greater Masaka, West Nile, Northern and Bukedi sub-regions in Uganda.

The factory adds value to Ugandan grown fruits that include mangoes, pineapples and passion and is also looking at the apple processing thus not only supporting commercial agriculture by offering a ready market to farmers for their products but also in improving farmers household incomes.

The factory that has acquired National and International Accreditation and Certification employs 500 workers directly and indirectly impacts over 10,000 small holder fruit farmers across the country.

Speaking at the launch, President Museveni assured Mugabe of the government’s support. “What you are talking about are small things, supporting Francis is very easy. We give money to people who have nothing to do, and they squander it. How about someone who is doing something good?” the President said.