Government constructs three modern markets in the Albertin grabben

BULIISA – The government through the Ministry lands, housing and urban development has constructed three modern markets worth Shs.12 billion in the Albertin grabben as one way to improve on people’s livelihood.

The modern markets were established in the oil rich areas of Buliisa, Hoima and Kikuube district and the facilities were established to help local communities in the areas to benefit from the oil and gas industry indirectly.

The markets includes; Biiso Market located in Biiso town council in Buliisa district, Kabaale market located in Kabaale sub-county in Hoima district and Buhuka market in Kyangwali sub-county in Kikuube district.

The construction of the markets is being implemented by Techno three Ltd PS construction with funding from the World Bank.

The construction of the markets which started in February this year will cost Shs 3.4 billion each and each market will accommodate 200 vendors.

Robert Kakiiza, the Project Manager, said the project progress is at 85% and they expect the projects to be completed by December this year.

The Minister of State for Urban Development, Mario Kania Obiga, was last week in the region inspecting the projects implemented in the Albertine region under the Albertine Region Sustainable Development Program (ARSDP).

He adds that lack of skilled labor in the area, the Covid-19 and lack of construction materials within the area of operation were some of the challenges that have delayed the project.

The project was meant to be completed within four months, but due to the challenges, they got an extension of four months.

He says, the market facilities have the main market, kitchen, waterborne toilet, VIP Latrine, parking and baby care center among others.

Speaking during his visit, Minister Obiga Kania was impressed by the progress of the project adding that once completed, the markets will help local communities to work in a conducive environment and to have income generating activities to improve on their household incomes.

He challenged the leaders to mobilize the locals to utilize the markets and also to own and protect the facilities for sustainability.

Kania said that there is a need to mobilize the people to use the markets to improve their household income.

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He expressed concern that the community is ignorant about the importance of these market facilities adding that the government has built several markets across the country but unfortunately vendors abandon these facilities and then go operate on streets.

He also advised the local leaders to mobilize the local communities to engage in production to ensure that they can supply these markets with enough good products.

Robert Mugabe, one of the vendors at Biiso market facility commended the government for the project adding that the facility will help them address challenges that include theft of their produce and poor working conditions.

Fred Lukumu, the Buliiisa District LCV Chairman, described the apparent infrastructural developments in the region as an indicator that oil is beneficial to society.

He says that this is the time communities should embrace hard work to see that they benefit from the developments.

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Uganda to increase its coffee exports to the Middle East states by 1.5m bags, says UCDA

UGANDA – Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), the country’s leading coffee agency targets an increase in coffee exports to the Middle East through export promotions.

According to UCDA statistics, coffee exports to the Middle East is 217,519 bags of 60 kg which constitute 2.10% of total coffee exports in FY 2020/21.

After attending this year’s Expo in Dubai, UCDA’s target is to export 1.5m more bags to the Middle East states.

According to the United Nations Com Trade database on international trade updated on October 2021, Uganda’s export for coffee, tea, mate and spices to United Arab Emirates was US$1.51 million in 2020.

Doreen Rweihangwe, Ag. Director Quality and Regulatory Services said, the 2021 Expo is an opportunity to deepen the penetration of Uganda coffee in the UAE market in the Middle East in general.

She said that Uganda’s coffee stall did well at the ongoing Dubai Expo.

“Our target is to export 1.5 million bags of coffee in the Middle East by 2025 because we have done it before in the Milan Expo in 2015 when India was dominating the Italian market. By April 2020, Uganda displaced India in exporting coffee to Italy,” She explained.

This was revealed during the 2020 Dubai Expo which is underway in United Arab Emirates, where Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) among the participants.

The Dubai Expo 2020 is a World Expo, currently hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.

Originally scheduled for 20th October,2020 to 10th April, 2021; it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 192 Countries, including Uganda, are participating in this year’s World Trade Expo that stretches for about 182 days under the theme: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.

In another statement shared on Twitter, UCDA says Uganda has been categorized in the opportunity group and is keen on conquering the UAE market.

“UCDA will take the opportunity of having one of the best quality coffee globally to deepen the entry in Middle East market,” reads UCDA’s tweet.

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Hon Chris Baryomunsi, the ICT-Minister, also tweeted that the 2020 Dubai expo is Uganda’s opportunity to penetrate the investment opportunities.

He however lashed at the country’s critics saying, the government’s target audience is the foreigners who are happy with Uganda’s display.

Also, Edward Kazire, the proprietor of Kazire products while meeting potential partners at the expo, tweeted that he intends to export natural drinks and herbal pharmaceutical drugs to the Middle East.

Besides the government delegations, the Private Sector was also considered under Presidential CEOs’ Forum (PCF), a newly created umbrella aimed at linking the private sector leadership.

A total of 24 CEOs from corporate institutions among other government executives with the aim of contributing to the National Development Agenda were considered to represent Uganda’s pavilion.

The private companies which represented Uganda include; Kazire Health Products, Uganda Manufacturers Association, Numa Feeds LTD, UgaChick Poultry Breeders LTD, Nile Plastic Industries, Private Sector Forum, Steel and Tube Industries LTD among others.

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