Parliament ready to support agro-industry, says Kadaga
The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga (L), receives the new managing director of Nile Breweries Limited, Mr Greg Metcalf (R), at her office in Kampala on Monday as Nile Breweries Corporate Affairs director Onapito-Ekomoloit (C) looks on. PHOTO BY GEOFFREY SSERUYANGE.
What you need to know:
The Speaker said Parliament will maintain the status quo of government in supporting industries that provide market to farmers’ products.
Kampala
The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, has pledged Parliament’s support to industries that promote agro-processing in Uganda.
The Speaker made the pledge while meeting the new managing director of Nile Breweries Limited (NBL), and Rwenzori Bottling Company (RBC), Mr Greg Metcalf, at her office at Parliament on Monday.
“Parliament will work to maintain the status quo of government supporting industries that promote agriculture and provide market to farmers,” Ms Kadaga said.
NBL, Uganda’s largest brewer by volume and market share, buys agricultural raw materials from more than 20,000 Ugandan farmers, who produce barley, sorghum and maize for it to make beer. The company spends Shs40 billion annually to buy grain from farmers.
The brewer employees more than 1,000 Ugandans directly, and its value chain employees another 200,000. The company pays Shs200 billion annually to government in taxes.
Mr Metcalf told the Speaker NBL was committed to Ugandan farmers and had invested $200 million (about Shs500 million) in the last five years alone, including building a new brewery in Mbarara. “We appreciate the co-operation of Parliament in what has been a win-win programme,” he said.
Mr Metcalf requested the Speaker to ensure that Parliament maintains moderate alcohol legislation in Uganda.
