The Ugandan government has unveiled plans to establish a soya bean processing factory in Mushaga Village, Kityerera Sub-county, Mayuge District. This initiative aims to enhance value addition, ensuring farmers reap greater profits from their produce.
Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama announced the project while addressing local farmers under the Busoga Consortium.
She emphasized that the factory would help farmers shift from selling raw soya beans at low prices to producing finished goods.
“Farmers in China and other countries make significant profits from soya products. We must replicate that success here,” Nakadama stated.
The factory will manufacture soya-based products such as milk, cooking oil, and bread, creating more economic opportunities for local growers.
The initiative is part of a Uganda-China partnership under the Parish Development Model, serving as a pilot project for wider agricultural transformation.
Mayuge District LC5 Chairperson Bishop Frank Tibagendeka revealed that over 100 farmers had already signed up to grow soya beans. He urged more locals to seize the opportunity, calling it a viable path to economic empowerment.
Attorney Mula, Director General of the Busoga Consortium, disclosed that the initiative follows a directive from the Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Nadiope Gabula. The consortium is currently active in Namayingo, Mayuge, and Kamuli, with expansion plans underway.
Busoga Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muvawala praised the project, noting that it aligns with the region’s broader development agenda. He encouraged farmers to embrace large-scale production, highlighting partnerships with China Agriculture University to provide training on best practices and value addition.
The National Planning Authority has also pledged to train technical staff for the project, ensuring sustainability and long-term benefits for farmers.
Busoga Kingdom’s Minister for Agriculture, Owek. Samuel Nkenga, reassured farmers that soya bean cultivation could yield up to 1,000 kilograms per acre. He confirmed that the Busoga Consortium would provide a guaranteed market, reducing price instability.
“The future lies in large-scale soya milk, animal feed, and soya seed production. By linking the Village Agriculture Model with the Parish Development Model, we can transform livelihoods,” Nkenga stated.
Local farmers welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a game-changer for employment and price stabilization. The factory is expected to stimulate economic growth, reduce dependency on middlemen, and increase household incomes in the region.
