Kitgum, Uganga | The government has intensified efforts to promote agro-industrialization with a new Shs60 billion cassava processing plant set to be established in Acholibur, Kitgum District.
The proposed factory, fully funded through a special donation by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, will be implemented under the stewardship of the Gulu Catholic Archdiocese.
The project aims to transform cassava production in Northern Uganda by adding value to one of the region’s most widely grown crops.
Presidential Envoy and Project Supervisor, Col. Dr. John Francis Ongia Ongia, carried out a due diligence and verification visit to Lucon Cell, Acumu Ward in Acholibur Town Council along the Kitgum Road to assess the suitability of the land earmarked for the factory’s construction.
Dr. Col. Ongia said the plant will sit on 25 acres and will process cassava into ethanol, industrial starch, and other value-added products.
The ethanol output is expected to supply the oil blending facility currently under construction in Busia District, linking agricultural production to Uganda’s fast-growing industrial sector.
During his field inspection, Dr. Col. Ongia evaluated land suitability, community preparedness, infrastructure access, and environmental concerns to ensure smooth and sustainable implementation of the project.
Local leaders and residents expressed strong support for the initiative, citing its potential to create jobs, boost incomes, and open up new market opportunities for cassava farmers across Northern Uganda.
Upon completion, the cassava factory is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect employment opportunities, provide a steady market for farmers, and stimulate rural development through the growth of supporting sectors such as transport, storage, and small-scale trade.
Dr. Col. Ongia commended the Gulu Catholic Archdiocese for its proactive leadership in overseeing the project, describing the initiative as a “major milestone” in advancing industrialization, job creation, and community empowerment in Northern Uganda.
The project aligns with the government’s broader goals under the Parish Development Model and Vision 2040, both of which emphasize value addition and inclusive economic transformation.