Farmer discontent over Soroti Fruit Factory breakdown forces Alupo visit

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On a swift visit to the Soroti fruit processing factory on the afternoon of December 22nd, 2025, Vice President Major (Retired) Jessica Alupo responded to troubling reports that the facility had been inactive for months due to a broken spare part.

On November 29, 2025, factory representatives informed local farmers that they expected to process between 1.5 million and two million kilogrammes of oranges this season. However, several months had passed without any visible progress, leading to discontent among farmers who felt neglected.

Soroti Resident City Commissioner (RCC) John Michael Okurut said the city had received complaints from farmers about the factory's operations. Upon investigation, it was revealed that a technical challenge related to a damaged spare part had emerged, prompting a supply chain delay since the replacement had to be ordered from South Korea.

Farmer complaints

Soroti city works and production secretary Simon Okiring, who spoke on behalf of the mayor, shared concerns that the factory could not process all the oranges sourced from the Teso region. He added that the factory primarily processed only Hamlin oranges, leaving other varieties, such as Valencia and Washington Navel, unutilised. 

During her visit, Alupo mentioned having received numerous frantic messages from farmers over the past fortnight. They expressed their frustration about the machine's failure and the looming potential for protests, as their oranges and mangoes were at risk of rotting without a place for processing.

“Is it true that the factory is non-functional? That’s why I'm here. In this dotcom [era], anyone can send a message to my phone. They’ve even sent me rotten fruits,” she asserted.

Repairs complete

After inquiring with factory quality assurance manager Felix Angeki said that while the factory was operational, they had delayed fruit reception due to a technical issue with the orange washing system. They had successfully imported the necessary spare part from Korea, and the orange processing line was now ready to operate.

Alupo instructed the management to communicate to farmers that the factory had encountered a minor technical setback, but it was now resolved and back in operation. She urged citrus farmers, like herself, not to worry any more.

Keep spares

She advised factory management to keep spare parts readily available to avoid future disruptions, emphasising that such items are not perishable and could prevent similar issues in the future.

“NRM [National Resistance Movement] is focused on safeguarding our achievements because we aim to elevate our status from lower middle-income to upper middle-income. As farmers, we cannot afford issues like spare parts failing or having to order them from far away, especially when our perishable fruits are at stake,” she stated.

The Vice President said when management issues arise, the key to resolution lies in regular meetings, as no institution is without its challenges.

In response to concerns raised by local leaders and the mayor, Alupo acknowledged that the factory may not be able to process all the citrus fruits from the Teso as originally intended.

Capacity still lacking

However, she assured that ongoing efforts between the Government and factory management are in place to expand production lines, allowing for greater capacity to absorb fruits from Teso and adjacent regions. This is also why the Government allocated an additional shillings 30 billion to support factory expansion.

She added that while selling mangoes in local markets can be lucrative for farmers, there are significant issues when it comes to the quantities purchased by certified companies, which pay as little as shillings 20,000 for a bag of oranges. This price, Alupo said, doesn’t reflect the true costs of production, which include spraying, labour wages, and farm maintenance.

Alupo expressed concern that these companies sell to the factory at shillings 100,000 per bag, which undermines the factory's original purpose of supporting small-holder farmers. She encouraged farmers to collaborate with the factory and engage with local leaders until the expansion is realised, reiterating the government’s commitment to diversification.

She noted that many farmers who planted citrus trees could have sustainably integrated themselves into the monetary economy if the factory had been more viable, considering the high volumes produced for processing. The 33 per cent of households outside the monetary economy, particularly from regions such as Karamoja, Teso, and Lango, might not exist if they had a reliable market for their citrus fruits.

“I have heard cases of farmers cutting down their trees, which should never happen, as it takes significant investment to cultivate an orange or mango tree until it fruits,” she remarked.

Alupo urged factory management to maintain transparency and foster open communication with farmers to prevent the escalation of issues that prompt locals to contact her.

Disappointments

Though farmers expressed a desire to voice their concerns directly to Alupo, she had another engagement to attend. However, Alupo committed to meeting them on January 10, 2026, to ensure their challenges are addressed appropriately.

James Abau, a farmer from Asuret sub-county, expressed his disappointment, mentioning that most of his oranges have rotted.

Similarly, Michael Elocu, a farmer from Agirigiroi parish in Soroti district, said the factory is purchasing oranges at unreasonably low prices, leaving farmers feeling frustrated.

Elocu said there is a need for an investigation into several ongoing issues at the factory that require urgent attention.

In Kapujan sub-county, Harriet Norah Agwang, a farmer in Katakwi district, shared that the delay in the factory's purchase of their oranges has resulted in significant losses.

These oranges are crucial for their livelihood, particularly in covering school fees and buying essential food.

 Who will take responsibility for our rotten oranges?" she lamented.

In 2014, President Yoweri Museveni launched an initiative for the construction of a fruit processing factory, marking the start of its commercial production on April 13, 2019.

The factory operates with a shareholding structure where the government holds 80 per cent through the Uganda Development Cooperation (UDC), while farmers, represented by the Teso Tropical Fruit Growers Cooperative Union (TEFCU), own the remaining 20 per cent.

In June 2024, Chimaki Agro Ltd took charge of the factory's operations on behalf of the Government. With an impressive capacity to process six metric tonnes of fruit every hour, the facility transforms purchased fruits into puree, concentrate and ready-to-drink juice, marketed under the name “Teju Juice” (TEJU).

The Teso region stands out as Uganda's principal producer of citrus fruits, and this factory was specifically established to offer a reliable market for oranges and mangoes, while tackling the challenges posed by post-harvest losses.

Located in Arapai Industrial Park within the East Division of Soroti City, the factory sits approximately 299 kilometres northeast of Kampala.