The partnership between the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), the industrial arm of government, and Bukona Agro Processers Ltd has significantly changed the face of Northern Uganda, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of people across the region, SpyReports has established.
Community members across the region testified that the collaboration has transformed both their livelihoods and the overall economic landscape.“Most of us had never thought that Northern Uganda would be a better place to live after decades of war,” said Okello, a beneficiary of the project.
He explained that agriculture and businesses were almost non-existent because the constant threat of conflict kept people in fear. “Even when the government ended wars, we still thought they might resume at any time,” he added.A businesswoman operating in Gulu Town, shared how the involvement of UDC changed everything.
“When UDC came on board and supported the project, that’s when people realized that the wars had really ended. We started engaging in agriculture and running real businesses because we were now assured of peace and security,” she said. Apio highlighted the region’s fertile land, ideal for growing maize and cassava, which the factory mainly uses to manufacture cooking stoves.
“The factory consumes the maize and cassava grown in Northern Uganda,” she explained. “Our faces have truly changed from war to business, and now we can compete with other regions in terms of development. There is no more fear of conflict hereDuring a survey at the factory, Mr. Praviin Kekal, Managing Director of Bukona Agro Processers, shared insights into the company’s journey. Construction of the factory began in 2016 amid lingering fears that insecurity in the region could affect the business. “We finished construction in 2019, but production came to closure due to lack of funds and other challenges,” he said, adding that the factory remained closed for a year.
Hope arrived in March 2021 when UDC stepped in with financial support. “When the government came in, we felt secure both financially and in terms of security, and our spirits lifted,” Kekal said. The company received a funding injection of Shs 12 billion, corresponding to 40.5% shares. Government advice also steered them to produce environmentally friendly cooking stoves, aimed at reducing deforestation.The business has since grown rapidly, fueled by the maize and cassava supplied by the local community.
“With a high market demand for our stoves, we shifted manufacturing back to Uganda. He revealed that the factory now purchases 100 tonnes of cassava and maize daily, all sourced locally, and employs hundreds of youths in both skilled and unskilled roles.The company has expanded its operations further, establishing a blending facility in Malaba and signing an MOU with Nyowa District to purchase produce directly from farmers.
Kekal emphasized that this agreement ensures a stable and continuous market for maize and cassava grown in the region. Moreover, the company has expanded its market to Tanzania and opened branches across Uganda.Despite these successes, Kekal acknowledged ongoing financial challenges that limit the factory’s ability to double its capacity.
“If the government can provide an additional Shs 30 billion, we can double production, employ more youth, and increase the supply of raw materials,” he said. Currently, the factory produces cooking stoves priced between Shs 295,000 and 395,000 which are subsidised by CCC with the support from world bank factory plans to expand manufacturing capacity to 5000 stoves monthly
