The multibillion-dollar plant, spearheaded by Ugandan scientist and industrialist Dr Mathias Magoola, will use cassava as its primary raw material, sourced directly from local farmers across the Busoga sub-region.
Kamuli, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to commission the Dei BioPharma Factory at Busambu, Namasagali in Kamuli District on November 20, 2025, in what has been described as a turning point for Busoga’s economy, agriculture, and environment.
The multibillion-dollar Dei BioPharma Namasagali Plant, spearheaded by Ugandan scientist and industrialist Dr Mathias Magoola, will use cassava as its primary raw material, sourced directly from local farmers across the Busoga sub-region.
According to Dr Magoola, the factory represents “a growing opportunity, dignity, and progress for every household.” He explained that the project will help farmers redefine cassava not merely as food, but as “a sustainable source of income capable of transforming lives and supporting education and health at household level.”
The factory, which integrates a bio-starch, biofuel, and distillery plant, is designed to process 500 tonnes of cassava daily, producing pharmaceutical-grade ethanol, power ethanol, and biofuels that can be blended to support Uganda’s green energy transition.
Dr Michael Mugabira, Site Manager for the Busambu Plant, revealed that test runs have shown exceptional output levels and efficiency. “The issue now is productivity, not market,” he said. “We call upon farmers to maintain high standards, use certified cassava varieties, and adopt optimal agronomic practices to meet international production standards.”
He emphasized that the project comes with massive job opportunities, skills transfer, and innovation-driven careers for local youth. “The vaccines and medicines made in Africa for the world begin here,” he noted. “By joining Dei BioPharma, you are becoming part of a mission to revolutionize global healthcare.”
Cassava vs. Sugarcane: A New Economic Dawn for Busoga
The Greater Busoga Sugarcane Growers Union (GBSGU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dei BioPharma Ltd to supply cassava to the factory.
Mr Godfrey Biriwali, Chairperson of the Union, hailed cassava as a “future-proof crop” capable of reviving Busoga’s economy faster than sugarcane ever did. “An acre of cassava yields Shs2.5 million in just eight months compared to sugarcane’s Shs3 million in 18 months,” Biriwali explained. “This factory guarantees a ready market and better prices.”
He urged farmers to shift focus from sugarcane, which he termed a “selfish cash crop,” to cassava, which ensures both food security and steady income. “It’s time for Busoga to secure its future through cassava. The world market is open, and Dei BioPharma is already certified by the U.S. Food Department,” he added.
Ms Sarah Sambya, the Ag. Kamuli District LCV Chairperson commended Dr Magoola’s vision, noting that Dei BioPharma’s cassava-based innovation would transform both healthcare and the local economy. “This isn’t just a factory; it’s a revolution,” she said. “Cassava is the key to our sustainable future. It’s a solution for food security, industrial development, and green energy transition.”
She lauded the project’s potential to create thousands of jobs, stimulate agricultural diversification, and enhance environmental sustainability by reducing dependence on firewood and charcoal. “Dei BioPharma is not only producing medicine, it’s producing hope,” Ms Sambya said.
Cassava Seedling Shortage Threatens Supply
Despite the enthusiasm, a major concern now looms over the critical shortage of cassava seedlings across the region. With the surge in demand triggered by the Dei BioPharma partnership, the Busoga Kingdom and the Ministry of Agriculture have been forced to seek urgent intervention.
Mr Edward Munaba, the Minister for General Duties in the Busoga Kingdom and project coordinator, said the Kingdom requires seedlings for 300,000 acres, yet availability remains critically low. “We need NARO’s urgent support to multiply the NAROCAS 1 cassava variety,” Munaba said. “It matures in seven months and offers huge economic potential for our farmers.”
Munaba added that the partnership between Busoga Kingdom, Dei BioPharma, and NARO aims to empower farmers to treat cassava as a lucrative commercial crop, complementing sugarcane and coffee.
However, information obtained by DailyExpress indicates that under an MoU signed on May 17, 2024, the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) pledged to produce and distribute the NAROCAS 1 cassava variety to farmers through the Buginyanya Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (BugiZARDI).
Dr Moses Kayiira, Senior Research Officer at BugiZARDI, said the variety is high-yielding and disease-resistant. “NAROCAS 1 yields 35–50 tonnes per hectare, matures in 12 months, and can last for 36 months,” Dr Kayiira told DailyExpress, adding, “An acre can produce 200 bags of cuttings in one year, and up to 1,000 bags in two years; that’s Shs20 million in revenue if sold at Shs20,000 per bag.”
He encouraged private investors to enter the cassava seed multiplication business, saying it is “an untapped goldmine that can uplift Busoga’s economy.”
As Busoga prepares to host President Museveni for the factory’s commissioning on November 20, the Dei BioPharma project stands as a symbol of industrial transformation, rural empowerment, and green innovation.
For many farmers, it’s not just a factory, it’s the rebirth of Busoga’s agricultural pride. “Cassava is no longer just food; it’s medicine, energy, and our economic future,” said Mr Biriwali. “This is the moment Busoga has been waiting for.”
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
