Luwero, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tuesday commissioned Victoria Sugar Limited factory in Luwero District, hailing the investment as a major boost to Uganda’s industrialisation drive, job creation, and wealth creation agenda.
The President was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, as he addressed leaders, workers, and residents at the commissioning ceremony.
Museveni commended the management and staff of Victoria Sugar Limited for expanding Uganda’s manufacturing base and contributing to economic transformation through value addition.
He reiterated government commitment to improving workers’ welfare, including resolving the long-standing issue of the minimum wage as part of broader poverty reduction efforts.
“I am aware of the issue of the minimum wage, and I am going to fix it. Tosobola kukama nte nga tosoose kulongoosa kiraalo — you cannot milk a cow before cleaning the kraal,” Museveni said.
The President further pledged continued government intervention to lower the cost of electricity, transport, and water, saying high production costs remain a major barrier to industrial competitiveness and household welfare.
Museveni also urged Ugandans to support the NRM and its flag bearers in the forthcoming general elections, arguing that political stability is critical for sustained service delivery and socio-economic transformation.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Jiyani Alpesh, Managing Director of Victoria Sugar Limited, welcomed the President and credited the stable investment climate for the group’s growth.
Alpesh said the Victoria Group operates across multiple subsectors, including sugar manufacturing, clean energy cogeneration, distillery operations, plastics and tarpaulin manufacturing, tyre production, tiles, steel products, cables, recycled batteries, and household utensils.
He revealed that the group directly employs more than 8,000 Ugandans and indirectly supports over 9,000 livelihoods through outgrowers, suppliers, and customers. The company’s plantations cover 17,000 acres in Luwero and neighbouring areas, with an additional 10 square miles acquired in Kiryandongo for future expansion.
Alpesh added that Victoria Sugar generates 15 megawatts of clean energy, with 10 megawatts fed into the national grid, and is installing an additional 3 megawatts of biogas power to strengthen Uganda’s energy security.
He disclosed that the group has invested more than USD 150 million to date and paid UGX 225 billion in direct and indirect taxes between 2018 and 2024.
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