Acholi leaders applaud Uganda Breweries for supporting commercial agriculture
GULU – Leaders from Acholi sub region have applauded Uganda Breweries Limited [UBL] for supporting commercial agriculture in northern Uganda.
The company officials were on Friday in Gulu at Ker Kwaro Acholi to launch the monument of the symbol of the Elephant for the identity of the Acholi cultural heritage constructed in the City.
The company’s supply chain director Alfred Balikazira revealed that the company has supported 24,500 farmers across the country for production of maize, millet and sorghum in the last two years.
About 17, 000 farmers were from northern Uganda who were supported with seeds, fertilisers and other farm inputs to produce locally made raw materials for beer production.
He further revealed that UBL has invested Shs10 billion for the purchase of the produce from the farmers in the region which has impacted the livelihoods of the community.
“We have paid tax of Shs420 billion to the government in the last financial year which contributed to 0.4 percent of the gross domestic product and the North is the main supply of our raw materials,” Balikazira said.
He explained that the exportation of raw materials for beer production and alcohol related products reduced from 97 percent to only 3 percent now as the company engages the local farmers in mass production.
The Uganda Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny Dollo commended UBL for mobilising the farmers on mass production of the diversification of crops in the region for enhancing livelihoods.
The Chairman Acholi Parliamentary Group [APG] Anthony Akol also applauded the company for engaging the cooperative farmers in mass production and marketing.
Ambrose Olaa, Prime Minister Ker-Kwaro-Acholi appealed to the company to maintain support into the region and also to expand support for hundreds of the farmers’ led cooperative societies in the region.
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