APALA, UGANDA – The Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, has pledged government support to the Apala Area Cooperative Oil Seed Factory, promising a tractor, a truck, and financial assistance to enhance production and ease transportation challenges.
The factory, constructed with over UGX 800 million under the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) program, is intended to serve as a key economic driver for the region by processing oil seeds and reducing post-harvest losses.
Speaking during his visit to the facility yesterday, Magyezi noted that while the infrastructure was in place, there was a critical need to streamline the supply chain. He committed to providing a tractor and a truck to facilitate the collection of raw materials from farms to the factory. Additionally, he announced that the government, through the Micro-finance Support Center, would extend financial support to ensure the cooperative has sufficient working capital.
"Government is committed to ensuring that investments like this one translate into tangible benefits for the people. We shall provide the necessary equipment and financial backing to make sure this factory operates at full capacity," Magyezi said.
The Minister was accompanied by district leaders including the Alebtong District LC5 Chairman, David Kennedy Odongo, and the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Franco Olaboro, among other officials.
Sam Okodo, the Senior Assistant Secretary for Apala Sub-county, expressed gratitude to the government for the intervention. He emphasized that the factory holds the potential to transform livelihoods in the area by providing a ready market for farmers and creating jobs.
"This factory will change the lives of the people of Apala. We thank the government for this project, and if possible, we request that more such factories be constructed to serve the people of Apala and Alebtong at large," Okodo said.
The LEGS program is designed to boost household incomes and improve local economic infrastructure across various districts in Uganda.
