President Museveni has commissioned the Victoria Sugar Limited factory in Luweero District, describing the investment as a key boost to Uganda’s industrialisation and wealth creation drive.
The president, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, praised the company’s management and workers for contributing to economic growth and job creation.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare, including addressing the long-standing issue of the minimum wage.
“I am aware of the issue of the minimum wage, and I am going to fix it. Tosobola kukama nte nga tosoose kulongoosa kiraalo — you cannot milk a cow before cleaning the kraal,” Museveni said.
He noted that government efforts would continue to focus on lowering the cost of electricity, transport and water to improve industrial competitiveness and raise household incomes.
The president also called on Ugandans to support the National Resistance Movement and its candidates in the forthcoming general elections, citing the need for continuity in service delivery and socio-economic transformation.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Victoria Sugar Limited Managing Director Jiyani Alpesh said the group had benefited from a stable and predictable investment environment, which had enabled it to expand operations across several sectors.
Alpesh said the Victoria Group is involved in sugar manufacturing, clean energy co-generation, distillery operations, plastics, tarpaulins, tyre manufacturing, tiles, steel products, cable manufacturing, recycled batteries and household utensils.
He disclosed that the group directly employs more than 8,000 Ugandans and indirectly supports over 9,000 livelihoods through outgrowers, suppliers and customers.
The company operates plantations covering 17,000 acres in Luwero and neighbouring areas, with an additional 10 square miles secured in Kiryandongo for future expansion.
According to Alpesh, Victoria Sugar generates 15 megawatts of clean energy, with 10 megawatts supplied to the national grid, and is installing an additional 3 megawatts of biogas power.
He added that the group has invested over USD 150 million and paid about Shs 225 billion in direct and indirect taxes between 2018 and 2024.
