“Soroti Fruits Limited was incorporated to add value to fruits that were abundantly underutilised; to address the high post-harvest losses, provide market for the farmers produce, and create employment opportunities along the value chain, thus increased and diversified household incomes within the greater Teso Sub-region” (February, 2022).
The Auditor General Report of December 2022 isn’t spelling out a better story either. The Soroti Fruits Limited is a proof of mismanagement, lack of survey and planning. It is picking the wrong fruit, the wrong type of production and even not considering the markets itself. Nothing has been checked for feasibility or value for money.
That’s why the December 2022 report says this:
“I inspected the inventory stores at the facility and established huge volumes of orange concentrate in the cold room stores. The factory did not have a recognizable packaging line for ready-to-drink juices in PET bottles leading to choking in the Cooling Rooms. The inability to transform Concentrate into marketable juice because of lack of a commercial packaging line for Ready to Drink Juice, has meant that the company keeps huge volumes of Concentrate which are kept in cold rooms, thus increasing costs of production and inadequate products in the market” (OAG, 2022).
He further explains:
“I noted that the factory still had, in store, concentrate and pulp that had been produced close to two years ago and indication of limited market for the juice produced” (OAG, 2022).
If you ever needed a proof of how little viable the production, the factory and the lines made in Soroti. These sorts of statements say it. You don’t need the financial understanding or the liquidity of the company to understand it. It’s expensive to keep such inventory and to use electricity to keep it well. Secondly, the orange concentrate won’t last forever either. Therefore, there are risks involved.
The Soroti Fruit Factory, which was built for the wrong fruit and now also lacks the ability to tap or utilize the concentrate. Because, it doesn’t have the production facilities to bottle or can the goods. That means the State or Government must spend even more on the failure of a project.
This story is a tale of losses, lack of proper consultation and using local knowledge to benefit the famers in Teso. Instead, it has become a money-pit and a loss-loss project. You can certainly wonder who has benefited from this and why it happened in the first place. Because the famers and the ones who was supposed to be the beneficiary ones aren’t. They are the losing end, and neither is the consumer getting viable products to consume. This isn’t value addition, but expenses upon expenses without any sort of revenue. Peace.
“Residents of the hunger stricken areas in Teso region are now forced to eat termites due the current hunger crisis caused by last year and this year’s prolonged drought. Florence Kulume a mother of nine and a resident of Atira sub county in Serere district goes early morning to look for grass, sort it straight before washing it with roots of a certain tree locally known as “Ekoboi” in Ateso which is sour and loved by termites” (Kampala Dispatch – ‘Starving families in Teso resort to eating termites, Karimojong flee to Kenya’ 13.06.2022).
The Teso Sub-Region is hit with food insecurity yet again. It seems like the Teso Affairs and the state haven’t followed previous recommendations or any sort of thing. As the problems of past is revisiting the area. An area where the state has invested in a fruit factory, the Soroti Fruit Factory, but not secured the farmers or the agricultural sector as a whole. Since, within a few years time and a new drought settles in. The same issue of hunger and starvations sets in.
I have to use the sentiment of a farmer from the last time in 2017. Because the situation hasn’t changed but its more of the same.
Still, a local farmer wrote a piece to the Chimp Reports that has some valuable assessments:
“The current hunger in Teso has largely been attributed to drought, while this assertion may hold some truths; there is increasingly evidence that the Ministry of Teso Affairs has not done its part. Hunger in Teso is as a result of both internal and external factors. For many years, the region has been experiencing declining productivity and this was recently worsened by drought. For districts like Ngora, Bukedia and Kumi, land fragmentation has heavily affected productivity” (…) “Clearly besides drought, Teso food systems are in a crisis and our expectation was that the Ministry of Teso affairs working with other stakeholders would work to address this problem. Our view is that hunger should be among the ‘affairs’ that Ministry of Teso Affairs should be engaged in. Agriculture remains a major livelihood for our people in Teso and therefore we require urgent response from Ministry of Teso Affairs on its plans to help our people get out of the current hunger crisis” (Akorikin, 2017).
Minister of State for Teso Affairs, Hon. Christine Aporu Amongin has to accept her faults and lack of good governance. The state haven’t done their due diligence or tried to mitigate it. That’s why it’s happening again after 5 years. We know the state will come with excuses. Last time around another minister blamed the suffering communities for selling their crops and whatnot to get money to stay alive. Therefore, we shouldn’t expect much from the state or the ministries in question.
The Office of the Prime Minister and the Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness should together with the Teso Affairs make some mechanisms and help people out. Not only with the direct aid and need food right now. That what they should do and in such a manner that people can eat nutritious food.
Now that it has happen for the second time in 5 years. The state needs to do more than short-term relief. There is a need for more food security mechanisms that actually can help the farmers and the hit communities in the Teso sub-region. Peace.
“Soroti Fruits Limited was incorporated to add value to fruits that were abundantly underutilised; to address the high post-harvest losses, provide market for the farmers produce, and create employment opportunities along the value chain, thus increased and diversified household incomes within the greater Teso Sub-region” (February, 2022).
This is not a shocker, as the Auditor General of December 2021 already have proven that the investment under Uganda Development Corruption (UDC) proved that the Government of Uganda huge investments into these State Owned Enterprises isn’t only unsuccessful, but blatant cash-grabs and “white-elephants”.
The “Report on the Alleged Mismanagement of Soroti Fruits Limited” only furthers this, as the produced report of February 2022 is no difference from the AG Report from December 2021. Therefore, it is only showing it more direct and one case, which happens to be the Soroti Fruit Factory.
Just read here:
“The Committee made the following observations,’The only mango varieties not taken by the factory are the traditional mangoes which are said to have a lot of fiber which requires several systems to clean. Mangoes are mainly sourced from outside Teso sub-region because the available mango varieties in Teso contain fiber that cannot easily be processed by the current mango line. Whereas oranges are predominantly grown fruits in Teso sub-region, the factory found it economically viable to invest in a mango line as opposed to an orange line because the mango juice is a fast moving product that can sustain the market thus this could be one of the reasons orange growing farmers are frustrated” (February 2022).
“The committee was concerned that Government has so far invested in Teso Fruits Limited a total of UGX 44.1 billion, in addition to the KOICA grant of USD.8million, however, this has not yet yielded any profits and this projects towards the fact that the factory may take a longer period to sustain itself” (February 2022).
What is really striking is that a Fruit Factory for the Teso region, has to “import” or get outside sourced Mangoes, which can work for the production line. As the type, which is mainly produced in the Teso region doesn’t work there. That shouldn’t be the case and shows that the Fruit Processing Plant isn’t scaled or made for the local fruit producers. This is just infuriating and insulting. Because, that is the purpose to value-add on the cash-crops, but in this case. It is instead for outside farmers who has a longer way to the factory, which isn’t the reason for the company to begin with.
On a second note, the Teso region is also producing more oranges, which isn’t even in the works. So, you can wonder what sort of planning that went into it and what sort of analysis of the region was to begin with. This is the Teso Region’s Fruit Factory, but it doesn’t serve the majority of the mango producers or the orange producers in the region. Meaning, they are outsourcing the fruit supply, because it isn’t produced in Teso. That is really impressive and foolish too. Who is this dumb?
Not only the spending, building and wastage of funds only, as it has been a money-pit and total loss from the on-set. This report isn’t painting a perfect picture. Yes, it was a report made because of an expensive road, but uncovers another bitter truth, which I find more interesting. As it is built a fruit factory, which isn’t made for the surrounding farmers of the region. That’s it. Peace.
“The Government of Uganda has committed over UGX.223.9Bn in various investment projects under Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) over the years 2016/17 to 2019/20. These investments which are highlighted as government priorities from National Development Plan (NDP I), through to NDP III, are meant to promote social and economic development and contribute to poverty eradication by increasing national and regional economic growth and development” (Auditor General, December 2021).
We know over the years that the National Resistance Movement and the Government of Uganda (GoU) knows all about writing fancy plans, but have no idea about to implement them. In this regard, the GoU have not failed us either. The same government have failed to use the investments and the spending Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) over the years. That is very obvious.
These investments has been questioned before and the lack of results from them has been in the public too. As the factories and companies haven’t delivered as promised. The companies in question is Soroti Fruit Factory, Kigezi Highlands, Mbale Tea Factor, Kayonza tea factory and Atiak Sugar factory. Especially, the Soroti and Atiak factories have caused a stir and headlines in the past. So, the Auditor General is validating what the public already knows, but it is friendly to see the state looking at their lack of results.
Just read this conclusion, it says a lot about the lack of good governance by the NRM:
“Government has invested over UGX.200Bn in various sectors of the economy with the objective of boosting value addition mainly in the agricultural sector. There has been a noted increase in both tea and sugar production. It should however be noted that the levels of outputs and other expected benefits are not commensurate with the investments due to challenges of budgeting and planning, lack of feasibility studies and criteria for allocation of funding, inadequate contractual arrangements to clarify roles and targets and limited oversight and monitoring of investments. There is a risk of failure to achieve the intended objectives. There is still potential for improvement by ensuring UDC staffing levels are increased to undertake the above-mentioned tasks. It is also necessary to enhance autonomy for UDC by providing capitalisation instead of project related financing, so that management is flexible in allocation and re-allocate resources where they are urgently required at the time” (Auditor General, December 2021).
When reading this… you can state this is “white elephants” and could have been produced by any sort of foreign development agency to sell good stories to their donors and well-wishers. The GoU is initially dropping money like a drunk sailor without plans or sufficiently study the needs for it. Secondly, they don’t have secured or checked the plans to ensure the value for money. Alas, they are just printing money and throwing it on strippers. Hoping the stripper will come with the man who is making it rain. It is possibly that the stripper will be picked up by someone else or has a man already. So, why should the enterprise succeed when it’s just mere luck, if you actually get a shot to kiss or spend time with the girl.
In the same fashion the GoU has invested in the UDC. They have thrown money at the wall and hoping that something will stick. This is just running wild… and not putting any real efforts in. As they are just spending money and investing them without any precautions. That should be a worry anyone and the AG couldn’t be any clearer in this instance. Peace.
“The seeds of the past bear fruit in the present.”– Patrick Rothfuss
You know there is plenty of issues, when the Member of Parliament David Abala from Ngora County are together with 51 farmers written a petition concerning the Fruit Industry in the Teso Sub-Region. This being a petition from the orange and citrus fruit farmers of Kobwin, Ngora, Kapir, Mukura and Ngora Town Council ClO Ngora District.
What is special is that I have covered this before. As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have promised for over a decade to build the Soroti Fruit Factory, however, that hasn’t been materialized. This being President Museveni having rallies in the districts or nearby areas. Alas, the public has waited and started to produce this cash-crops as the factory was supposed to come. But with time they have seen it has appeared. This hurting the profitability of the produce and also the lack of progress for the farmers themselves.
We know the state sucks, when the petitioners are writing this:
“This particularly arises from current government policy to encourage farmers in the Teso sub-region to take to Citrus fruit farming on the basis that a fruit processing factory will be built in the sub-region for value addition on their fruits as a means for poverty alleviation and invariably wealth creation”.
Therefore, they have to even petition for it, this after they even demonstrated earlier in the year. When the Teso farmers in the Katakwi District put their produce on the streets paving ways of mangoes, instead of selling it. That happen this May 2018.
Now months after, the Ngora District are reacting to, as they are losing money and being tricked by middle men. As they are asking the Parliament for compensation, streamline the value chain for the farmers and the challenges they are having.
The NRM have now proven twice within a year, that they are not meeting the needs of the Teso Farmers, as the Ngora District are following the Katakwi District, which are both addressing the lack of following up pledges and promises of the past. It is all directed to the pledge of the Fruit Factory in Soroti. Seemingly never happen, except on paper and within the policy documents, but doesn’t get funding from the regime.
The saga continues and it will be fruity ride. Peace.
You thought we through with the fun or madness called NRM Primaries? The Circus it has become if you follow Gen. Otafiire and his been played. Well, you played your cards wrong and didn’t due diligence where you have been representing ever since arriving in the Parliament in the 80s. So now change has come. There has come a lot of changes! I will just bring some reports from today. There will be more directly and also more vivid result on Daily Monitor, Chimpsreport, New Vision and other outlets, even NTV and NBS… I have a few from different sources. The greatest news today isn’t some victors, but the reports from Lira. I am proud of the people of Lira! You didn’t buy in the greed, but stand proud! You got integrity something that is more valued than some giving you shillings for a vote. That is great report. Take a look!
Dr. Tanga Odoi said this today:
“We do not control the register – it’s the Secretary General. There is a village that had only one registered voter”.
“This has been the best ever elections by NRM. I don’t think there have been several cases. Those who have issues should petition” (…)”On a scale of 1 to 100, I believe we have scored 58%.” (…)”I will not resign. Resign for what? I cannot be pressured. These MPs and Ministers can’t scare me” (Ayiswa, 2015).
Gen. Otafiire calls the NRM Primaries an actually a “Circus”; and feels his: “being played with”.
Vincent Kyamadidi said this yesterday:
“This is a sham. Surely NRM EC knew we were supposed to have an election”
“LIRA: Majority residents and leaders from Lango sub-region who were invited to attend a campaign rally to denounce vote-buying and selling during the forthcoming 2016 general elections did not turn up” (…)”A resident of Lira Town, Ms Margaret Obote, said it is not bad for voters to accept bribes so long as they vote wisely. Opposition candidates accuse the ruling party of encouraging vote-buying, Mr Odur said could well be true. He further said President Yoweri Museveni for years has been known for offering expensive gifts which to him (Mr Odur) look like vote-buying”(Oketch & Alaba, 2015).
In Kampala as the NRM Primaries there been reports of angry crowds on the Buganda Road as the murder suspect Ssebuwufu was taken away in a minibus while they wishing him gone.
A strange rumor that is going is that in certain areas that the NRM Register didn’t need to see member cards in certain district and let even FDC members was allowed to vote in this NRM Primaries. That is a shocker if that is true! Is that true, ladies and gentleman?
Florence Nebanda of the Butalejja District claims the Primaries is a fraud and has filled in a petition to the NRM-EC where she is saying she is cheated!
In Bbale Police Station the incumbent Sulaiman Madada got detained yesterday for attempting to run away with the declaration form.
In Butembe County the pastor Nelson Lufafa is the flag-bearer now of the county.
In Bukiwe County the gospel singer Judith Babirye won the seat in the area.
In Buhuya County the Kabarole district Margaret Muhanga Mugsiha has won and become the flag-bearer with over 14,000 votes.
In Ndorwa County West the former campaign manager Gilbert Agaba lost to David Bhati who now is the flag-bearer for the district now.
In Koboko Municipality Evelyn Anite won her seat, but that was not strange, since she was the sole candidate…
In Kibale County the Pallisa Woman MP Judith Amoit Omagor lost her spot to former CMI spy Richard Oseku. Also in Pallisa County the incumbent Jacob Opolot lost his seat to Rogers Tatambuka.
In Hoima the NRM-Primaries is postponed AGAIN! Yes, the reports are true. Bunyoro elections are a tricky thing…
In Sserere the incumbent Joseph Opit Okojjo won the seat for LC5 NRM Flag-bearer with a massive amount of votes.
In Mbarara:
“The Mbarara District Police Commander Jaffar Magyezi has arrested over 50 people in Mwizi Sub County, who allegedly attacked supporters and agents of opposite candidates in the build up to yesterday’s NRM primaries” (…)”Police says that last Sunday, rogue supporters of Charles Ngabirano attacked and assaulted those of the reelected Rwampara MP Vincent Mujuni Kyamadidi and Mutima Gordon Kappa, accusing them of betrayal” (…)”The DPC says up to 50 suspects were arrested in a swoop, from which the ringleaders will be singled out and charged” (Nahamya, 2015).
In Mawokota North Amalia Kyambadde won the district with 79%.
In Gulu:
“Jimmy Okema, spokesperson for Aswa region said on Wednesday morning that Inspector of Police Morris Latigo, attached to Aywe police post in Gulu municipality has already made a statement on pictures showing him in uniform voting in the NRM primaries at police primary school in Gulu town. The picture began doing the rounds online yesterday. Okema added that a disciplinary committee is already being instituted to listen to a case of misconduct against inspector Latigo” (Acholitimes, 2015).
Wakiso – Kyaddondo County South/Makindye Ssabagbo:
“We also sympathize those that have not yet held those elections including my own Kyaddondo County South Constituency/ Makindye Ssaabagabo Municipality in Wakiso District. On our part, there was an excuse of lack of enough ballot papers, which was later found lame as we had enough of them. The real reason was that my supporters had stormed polling stations as early as 6.00 am and it scared my opponents.l, and Municipality NRM Chairperson Godfrey Kiwanuka insisted that elections should go on yesterday but the Registrar Mr. Charles Settebere and Frank Kyazze, my opponent, insisted that we vote today. NRM Deputy Spokesperson also said that elections in Wakiso would go on today. Later, however, NRM electoral officials in Wakiso decreed that elections would be held tomorrow Thursday October 29th starting at 8.00 am and ending at 4.00 PM: Although some press reports today have said that elections in Wakiso would be held on Friday, 30 minutes ago, Makindye Ssabagabo Registrar has told me that he has got instructions from Wakiso to hold elections tomorrow. So, on behalf of NRM, l apologize for what we are going through in Makindye Ssabagabo and elsewhere, and call upon people to come in large numbers and participate in the elections. Even those without yellow cards but whose names are in yellow books, will vote. Let’s vote for a potential MP but not a mere flag bearer as it has been the case since 2006” (Musaazi, Ahmed, 2015).
Amuria – Message from Jackie Ajego:
“Have been watching the NRM primary elections for Amuria closely with my net on standby for 2016, watch this space btn AJEGO VS AMERO match. Amuria needs leadership balance. this time. Nepepe I pedori oni, my ,6 sisters who couldn’t make it in primaries lets join hands than taking off to independent .. join Ajego task force Amuria 2016 we Share. the dream for our land” (Jackie Ajego, 2015).
Bugabula North -Message from the camp of John Teira:
“It’s almost 24hrs since we lost to a thug. Honestly i want to thank all the people of Bugabula North constituency for the continued support you’ve given us since we began this process in February this year till this just concluded NRM primaries that were marred with irregularities, intimidation of our voters, bribery, beating/harming agents and voters plus all sorts of unusual character by our opponents. To our understanding, we won this election though the thugs used all possibilities to garner support from government police agents who even went to the extent of protecting a lone voter ”Mrs KIZIGE” to tick all the ballots alone at a polling station. It’s unfortunate u were denied chance to vote a leader/ candidate of your choice but trust us, we aren’t contented with this too. However, with great confidence and trust in you our supporters, we are considering your views to stand as an independent coz we shall not accept such rigging where by a candidates garners 650 votes at a polling station of 167 voters. That’s impunity. Let’s work together for the good of our next mission tha shall see us in parliament. United we stand, Divided we fall. God bless u all that” (Raymond Peter Taayle).
Orungo District – Message from Camp of Gen Odongo:
“Hello ladies and gentlemen is here by thanking all the people of Orungo for having made the right choice during the elections of the NRM primaries whereby we have defeated our opponent with a very big margin.I also thank all the well-wishers who have been with us all the way till today thank you, thank you, thank you”
Kanugu District:
“Kaberuka 1892 Dixon 137 Rugaju 431 Kyatuheire 272 Rubasha 169 Mbabazi Julius 169 Bakamungyema 77.Kasya 2425 Bakiiga 701Elizabeth 1088 Ruth 411 charity 181 Adah 735 Patience 205 Juliet 534n Nyakinon The sub-County registrar has been hijacked with one Caleb Karabareme and Hon. Jackline Kyatuheire in company of the RDC Harriet Nakamya 8:49 they have started pre-ticking and forcing refilling of the result forms” (Reported Earlier today!).
Kapelebyong County:
The now former MP Dr. Peter Emmanuel Eriaku lost the election to Johnson Malinga is now the flag-bearer for the district.
Toroma County:
The ones who didn’t win the flag-bearer seat were Clive Solomon Ossiya and Patrick Aeku. The winner now the flag-bearer of the district is the Joseph Andrew Kuluo.
Bunyangabu District:
The winner of the district is Adolf Mwesige wins with 20,314 over the Dr. Vincent Owujuni 12,987.
Bundibugyo District:
The result from the district has made the incumbent MP Hon. Dr. Kamanda Batarigaya. The man who won the district is Richard Gafabusa who is the former speaker of Kusei (Parliament) and Obundigya Bwa Bwamba.
The Woman MP of the District also lost her position and she is Harriet Ntabazi, the new winner of the Woman MP position Josephine Babugi.
Also the Chairman of the LCV Jolly Tibemanya lost her seat to Ronald Mutegeki who was the former administrator of Bundibugyo hospital.
Bughendera District:
Christopher Kibanzanga won with a margin of 5000 votes over Kiiza Acrobat.
Karasi Emmanuel 2953
Byaruhanga Richard 5024 (Winner)
Byaruhanga Pison Dubai 3338 MP Bushenyi-Ishaka Muncipality:
Arinda Gordon Cowboy 5970 (Winner)
Willis Bashaasha 5097
Jannefer Musoke 377 MP Igara East:
Andrew Martial 12049 (Winner)
Mawanda Micheal 11528
Ruhonoka Mugizi Benon 376 MP Igara West:
Muhanguzi Umar 5433
Twazagye Naboth 378
Tumutegyereize Onesmus 190
Asingura Tarsisio 1629
Dr. Abel Mucunguzi 3257
Prof.Bazana Kabwegyere Tarsis 15178
Raphael Magyezi 19992 (Winner). Sembabule Final Results:
Mawogola South:
1. Joseph Ssekabiito 18234
2. Dezy Byuuma 11469
3. Muhanguzi Charles 2221
4. Twesigye Henry 197
5. Ddamulira Faizal 291.
Lwemiyaga County MP:
1. Theodore Sekikubo 11360.
2. Patrick Nkalubo 8791
3. Andrew Nankunda 1306
4. Patrick Sabiti 240
5. Musoke Deo 49.
LC5 Chairman Sembabule:
1. Dr Elly Muhumuza 31209
2. Magyezi Peter 22896
3. Bagyendanwa Swaib 16266
4. Kaweesa Alex 2021.
Mawogola North:
Sam Kuteesa Unopposed!!!!!!!
Woman MP:
Elections stopped because candidate Diana Nuwanyine was not on ballot papers.
Elections declared by Registrar George Katokozi.
Mbale District:
Mujasi Elly Benard 57,350
Magombe Vincent 50,339
Maumbe Mike 9,772
Bungokho South:
Werikhe Michael 32,164
Mauso Andrew 23,439
Bungokho North:
Magomu Mashate 14,136
Wojje 12,012
Woman MP:
Connie Nakayenze Galiwango 71,307
Lydia Wanyoto 48,390
Bukedea District:
Bukedea County MP: John Bosco Ikojo
Woman MP: Rose Okullu Akol
Kachumbala County: Patrick Isiagi Opolot
Ngora District:
Ngora County: David Abala
Woman: Jacqueline Amongin
Sserere County:
Serere County: Patrick Okabe
Kasilo County: Tony Owany
Woman: Hellen Adoa
Katakwi County:
Katakwi County: Peter Ogwang
Toroma: Joseph Koluo
Woman: Viola Akurut
There been a lot and a lot of numbers. More will come and there will be more deep reports from the elections that have been marred with pre-ticket ballots, postponed balloting and lots of violence. There have been areas of peaceful and righteous internal elections; maybe in the village with one voter, Dr. Tanga Odoi? No, I am joking but there is some sense that this internal election has been not smooth or swell at it should be. We all can agree on that after seeing the mess it has been. NRM EC can’t be proud of the result and how it been done. Secondly NRM CEC got to have a meeting in Entebbe and have some check and balances. Because there been enough issues and misgivings that there should be major clean-up and the results of losing members and other circumstances should show how the cookie crumbles! Peace.
MinBane 