Masindi food processors warned against compromising quality standards
MASINDI, August 31, 2026 — The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, led by Chairperson Amelia Kyambadde, has warned food processors in Masindi against compromising product quality and hygiene standards.
The committee was in the Bunyoro Sub-region to assess the impact of value-addition facilities provided to farmers through various projects implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF].
Masindi District has benefited from several value-addition facilities, particularly maize-processing plants supported by MAAIF, with assistance from the Korea International Cooperation Agency [KOICA] and the Agriculture Cluster Development Project [ACDP].
One of the facilities visited by the legislators was a pilot demonstration centre for maize, animal and poultry-feed processing established with support from KOICA. The centre is hosted by Agrovet Farmers Limited in Kijura Cell, Masindi Municipality.
The facility was established to work with farmer groups to increase production and value addition, with the ultimate aim of reducing household poverty and food insecurity.
However, the committee expressed concern over the quality of maize being processed for human consumption at the facility.
“We are here to improve this project so that people can benefit and also consume quality products. This was identified as one of the projects supported by MAAIF, but what we have found here is unacceptable. The hygiene is poor, there is no proper record-keeping, and the surrounding environment is unappealing,” Kyambadde said.
The committee gave Bernard Karwemera, the director of Agrovet Farmers Limited, two weeks to address all the issues identified, submit a report and appear for further discussion by Parliament.
“I am tasking the Masindi Production Officer, Prudence Alituha, and the District Agriculture Officer, Job Byaruhanga, to provide him with technical support,” Kyambadde directed.
She said the district technical team had not done enough to support the facility and challenged technical personnel to diligently carry out their monitoring and supervisory responsibilities.
Kyambadde also expressed concern about what she described as the continued consumption of poor-quality food products, which she said had been linked to various types of cancer.
“That’s why we are on the ground to ensure that quality is not compromised,” she said.
David Mulindwa Isimbwa, a committee member and Member of Parliament for Busongora County South, said the quality of maize processed at the facility could still be improved.
“The government’s objective was to ensure farmers benefit through better pricing and value addition,” he said.
Karwemera said the project was established in 2016 but had faced several management challenges, including a shortage of skilled personnel to maintain the imported machinery.
He also expressed concern about the poor quality of maize supplied by some farmers, despite efforts to train them in proper post-harvest handling and provide tarpaulins.
According to Karwemera, the facility currently produces about 10 tonnes of posho and 10 tonnes of animal feed each day.
The committee, however, commended other cooperatives that had received value-addition facilities under ACDP, including Masindi District Farmers Association and Gukwatamanzi Farmers Cooperative Society Limited.
The cooperatives impressed the legislators with their proper record-keeping, good product quality and operational machinery.
https://thecooperator.news/hass-avocado-farmers-count-losses-over-failure-to-meet-quality-standards/
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