President Yoweri Museveni has commended Mr. Alykhan Hudani and his family for locating a modern poultry industry in Semuto, Luweero district.

Speaking during the ceremony of the commissioning of the ultra-modern poultry facility yesterday, the President paid glowing tribute to Hudani Manji Holdings Ltd, a company that operates under the trademark of Yo Kuku for a job well done. The complex consists of boiler houses, a feed mill and an abattoir that form part of an integrated agri-business venture that cost US$10 million of the first phase. It has a capacity to house 180,000 broiler birds.

“I am very happy to commission this industrial project in Semuto. This area was damaged during the war. I am happy that this industry is located in Luwero,” he said.

He expressed happiness to note that the Luweero area which was affected by the war was becoming an industrial zone. He revealed that the National Resistance Movement Government is committed to facilitate the new venture in its efforts to correct the shortage of day old chicks.

Mr. Museveni challenged leaders of Luweero district and the neighbouring areas to mobilize the people in the production of maize which is a major ingredient in the production of feeds that are required by the farm adding that maize has a ready market in the new industry. He also assured the investors that while the people would avail them with the maize needed, the Government would facilitate them through ensuring that soya beans are produced in Kitalya by the Uganda Prisons authorities.

The President told the people of Semuto in particular and Ugandans at large that Uganda is rich in agriculture and that there was a lot of employment opportunities in industrial establishments. He reiterated that leaders need to work hard and promote industries to ensure that wananchi benefit. He made a personal pledge to support the industrialization process in the country.

Responding to complaints by investors who reported that they purchase one-day old chicks from Kenya but are barred from selling mature and dressed chicken to the neighbouring country, the President assured the proprietors of the facility that they would be able to sell their products in there. He, however, criticized some Kenyan officials who have been blocking the purchase of Ugandan products such as milk and sugar. He urged Mr. Alykhan Hudani to attract more investors to tap into the abundant agro-processing industry in Uganda.

The State Minister for Animal Industry, Hon. Bright Rwamirama, thanked the proprietors for heeding President Museveni’s call to invest in the country. He observed that the abattoir which they have set up was the first one of its kind in the country. He was pleased to note that the poultry industry has been growing steadily. He reported that the Industrial Research Centre in Uganda is producing the Avian Influenza Vaccine which is a major requirement in the poultry production business.

The Chairman of Hudani Manji Holdings Ltd, Mr. Alykhan Hudani, saluted President Museveni for inaugurating the facility and highly commended him for supporting his family in its business ventures since their return from Canada in 1986. He paid special tribute to the President for supporting investors.

He revealed that they were focused on enhancing efficiency adding that the plan under their business venture embeds the utilization of the market in Uganda, East Africa and South Sudan. He disclosed that their venture is the biggest in Eastern Africa adding that the ultimate goal is to have a work force that is Ugandan and well trained.