UGANDA – Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned the recently expanded Kike Tropical Fruits Limited in Nakasongola district.
Kike Tropical Fruits Limited is a leading supplier and wholesaler of pulp, aseptic fruit purees, aseptic fine crush and concentrates in Uganda, East Africa.
The fruit processing factory, established in 2019, has a processing capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes of fresh fruit each season, with more than 1,000 registered farmers supplying fruit to the factory.
The plant employs 500 workers directly and indirectly impacts over 10,000 small-holder fruit farmers across Uganda.
The company mainly sources its fruits from the Greater Luweero, Greater Masaka, West Nile, and Bukedi sub regions of Uganda.
The expansion of the plant will enable the factory to process higher volumes to cater for increased fruit demand in their international and local market.
Local farmers will also benefit from increased demand for raw material due to increased processing capacity.
President Museveni thanked Francis Mugabe, proprietor Kike Tropical Fruits Limited, stating; “When she realized that the Austrian market needs standard processed fruits, she mobilized her brother Francis to set up the factory. I want to thank Olivia and Francis for having spectacles that see far.”
“You know, you Ugandans want to import a lot. Francis was an importer but later realized that he can manufacture what Ugandans import,” he added.
The president assured the proprietor of government support in funding, reiterating his call on commercial poverty, terming calculation as one of the best ways to fighting poverty and creating wealth.
Francis said, “We obtain our fruit from the local farmers. Not only do we offer them ready market, but we also provide employment to their family members.”
“Our products have been tested and they meet the required standards of the EU market and that is why we are exporting. Kike is the answer to value addition to mangoes and pineapples and also boosting income to our farmers” he added.
