By Tolit Ivan
A UGX 199M Coffee Processing Factory in Loro Town Council, Oyam District is yet to start operation, two years after it was installed.
The coffee Processing Factory was installed in 2021 with funding under the Agricultural Custer Development from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries to boost coffee production in Northern Uganda.
However, since its installation the coffee processing factory has never worked due to lack of power forcing farmers to sell their unprocessed coffee to buyers cheaply.
According to Tonny Ongaa, the chairperson Loro Coffee Cooperative, coffee farmers in the district are selling their unprocessed coffee at UGX 8,000 a kilogram as compared to UGX 15,000 when processed.
Tommy Opiyo, the Oyam District Agricultural Officer, disclosed that Umeme is demanding UGX 110 Million to connect power to the facility.
Irene Birungi, the Chief Executive Officer, Presidential Investment Forum, assured the farmers that the power issue will be addressed before the end of August, 2024.
There over 12,000 coffee farmers in Oyam district, producing 18,000 tons of coffee annually.
