The proposed factory that will be managed by Bwamba Cooperative Union is meant to enhance capacity for the cocoa production to increase its quantity and quality for the benefit of local farmers and investors.
Moses Kule, the chairperson Mabere PDM Sacco, asked the government to release the remaining balance so that each Sacco can get the money for its members.
Bundibugyo is the leading producer the produce in Uganda. Cocoa is harvested twice a month throughout the year — with the high seasons being September to February and March to August.
Abubakar Musoke, the chairperson of Bundibugyo the Boda boda rider’s association, says that a number of riders have lost their properties due to accumulated debts as a result of limited resources to pay up.
Alima Komuhangi says middle men only come and tell them that the prices have gone down without giving them any explanation. The farmer who also buys fresh cocoa from other farmers for resale asks the government to intervene and stabilize the prices.
The farmers usually harvest the highly prized crop between June and July. A Kilogram of fresh vanilla fibre costs more than Shillings 200,000 on the market. Middlemen buy a kilogram at around 160,000 Shillings while established companies can buy it at as much as 200,000 Shillings per kilogram.
The cracks developed at Bubukwanga, just about six kilometers from Bundibugyo town. The construction of Fort-Portal Bundibugyo road was completed in 2013 with funding from the African Development Bank to the tune of Shillings 147 billion.
The programme is an initiative by the Government to improve womens access to financial services, equip them with the skills for enterprise growth, value addition and marketing of their products and services. The women are availed with interest-free revolving credit to initiate or strengthen their enterprises.
In 2009, the society won the concession to manage the newly constructed power line in the district. According to the concession, the cooperative is responsible for power distribution, maintenance of the power lines and managing the revenue from power consumers
Charles Baluku, a trader in Bundibugyo town says that the wrangles could affect the distribution and management of electricity in the district. He wants the relevant authorities to intervene and bring the warring parties together.
Christine Bbira, a businesswoman in Ntandi trading center says the clashes have come at a time when her business was booming. Bbira, who operates a wholesale shop, says that her shop has remained closed since Tuesday.
Business owners in Bundibugyo town are reaping big following the influx of Congolese refugees in the district. Hotels such as Vanilla, Blue Sky, Kwata Mpola and others have all been booked for a month. The hotels have also increased the rates for accommodation. At Vanilla Hotel, a room goes for 55,000 shillings per night, up from 45,000 shillings.
