The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero, on 22 March commissioned the upgraded Katebe Farm Engineering Transformation Project at Katebe Farm in Kashagama, Lyantonde District.
The facility, owned by General (Rtd) Kale Kayihura, was upgraded by the Engineering Development and Innovation Centre (EDIC).
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Musenero hailed the project as a model of locally driven industrialization. She noted that it aligns perfectly with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s call for Ugandans to transition from subsistence agriculture to a market-oriented economy through value addition.
“We are not only launching a milk processing facility but also celebrating engineering solutions made in Uganda,” Dr. Musenero stated. She noted that while Gen Kayihura began this journey in 2018, the project initially faced high costs and low returns due to a lack of affordable, local technical expertise.
The Minister praised Gen Kayihura for his dedication to innovation, describing the facility as a "pathfinder" for Ugandan industry. She emphasized that through the Ministry and EDIC—a facility staffed by competent Ugandan engineers—the country is finally overcoming the barrier of expensive, imported engineering solutions.
In his remarks, Gen Kayihura credited President Museveni for the inspiration behind the project, citing the President’s consistent encouragement for Ugandans to invest in value addition.
“I started this project on a small scale using loans from the Wazalendo (UPDF) SACCO,” Gen Kayihura explained. “Initially, it was very expensive because I had to import both machinery and expertise. However, EDIC identified our challenges and resolved them within just three months. This local support is why we are here today to launch a complete dairy processing facility.”
The former Inspector General of Police emphasized that the project's primary goal is not personal gain, but rather to provide a stable market for local farmers. Previously, community members sold their milk at low prices with minimal returns; the new facility offers a way to capture more value locally.
Gen Kayihura further lauded the Wazalendo SACCO, urging Ugandans to utilize SACCOs to access affordable credit for productive investments that drive household and national development.
The CEO of Wazalendo SACCO, Colonel Yusuf Magero Buha, commended Gen Kayihura—who served as the SACCO's first Chairman of the Board—as an exemplary member. He noted that the General’s successful use of credit serves as a blueprint for others looking to transform their livelihoods.
Prior to the EDIC intervention, Katebe Farm produced 500 liters of yogurt every 24 hours. Following the technical improvements, the facility has scaled significantly, now producing 3,000 liters in just 12 hours.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, local community leaders, and residents.
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