Museveni commissions NEC meat and beans factory, signals new push for agro-industrialisation
NEC Managing Director Lt. Gen. James Mugira said the project, which was initiated in 2019, faced delays during the COVID-19 pandemic before construction resumed.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Meat and Beans Processing Factory in Kisozi, Gomba District, describing the investment as a major boost to Uganda’s agro-industrialisation drive, value addition agenda and export ambitions.
The modern processing plant is a joint venture between NEC, the commercial arm of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), and Kenyan investor Francis Ragwa. The facility is expected to create a reliable market for livestock and bean farmers while reducing Uganda’s dependence on imported canned food products.
Speaking at the commissioning, President Museveni said Uganda has sufficient agricultural resources to supply the factory, stressing that the country’s challenge lies in organising production and linking farmers to dependable markets rather than increasing output.
“The issue of supplying the required raw materials is organisational. Once farmers are assured of the market, production will increase,” the President said.
Museveni cited Uganda’s coffee industry as evidence that market-driven production can transform agriculture. Coffee production has grown from about three million bags to nearly nine million bags annually and is projected to reach 20 million bags in the coming years. He also pointed to growth in the dairy sector, where annual milk production has risen from 200 million litres in 1986 to about 5.4 billion litres today.
He said government will determine the most effective supply model for the factory, whether through organised smallholder farmers or large-scale commercial producers, to ensure a steady supply of livestock and beans.
The President also challenged government agencies to improve coordination by ensuring industrial investments have access to essential infrastructure such as electricity before commencing operations.
Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka described the factory as a strategic investment that advances Uganda’s industrialisation agenda while strengthening national food security and military logistics.
“For many years Uganda relied on imported canned beef and beans for military operations. This factory changes that by producing locally while creating jobs and expanding markets for farmers,” he said.
Kiwanuka added that the Ministry of Defence would prioritise procurement from the factory and encouraged other government institutions to support locally manufactured products.
NEC Managing Director Lt. Gen. James Mugira said the project, which was initiated in 2019, faced delays during the COVID-19 pandemic before construction resumed.
He noted that the factory will reduce expenditure on imported canned food while creating employment and increasing demand for locally produced livestock and beans.
Mugira said Uganda has the potential to become a major exporter of premium beef if investments in disease control, vaccination and export certification are strengthened.
“Uganda has abundant pasture, favourable weather and internationally recognised Ankole cattle. With improved veterinary systems, we can compete in the global beef market,” he said.
Francis Ragwa, Managing Director of the NEC Meat and Beans Processing Plant, said the investment demonstrates the potential of regional partnerships and African-led industrialisation.
“We are proud that today we have made it happen. This factory proves that Africans can invest, build industries and create jobs for themselves,” Ragwa said.
The factory currently employs about 100 workers and is expected to stimulate local agricultural production through a guaranteed market for livestock and bean farmers while supporting Uganda’s broader strategy of exporting value-added products instead of raw agricultural commodities.
