Modeste Bahati Lukwebo, the President of the Senate of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has launched the Zhong Wu Beef Abattoir Imports and Exports Company under the Sino- Uganda Economic Development Special Zone. 

The facility is located at the Nshaara Industrial Park in Mbarara City. The facility sits on five square miles and is a joint venture between Chinese and Uganda investors that commenced development in 2017. It is located at Nshaara on Kampala- Mbarara highway in Ankole sub region.  

It is expected to host about 45 factories engaged in agro-business, light manufacturing, ICT, pharmaceuticals and beef production. 

During the event, Lukwebo expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni for the warm reception accorded to him and his entire delegation. He said that the main purpose of this visit is to bolster the excellent cordial bilateral relations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.        

Lukwebo hailed Museveni for his commitment to improving bilateral trade between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. He affirmed the willingness of the DRC to explore opportunities to boost trade for the mutual benefit of both countries.   

The President of the Senate commended the efforts of the officials of the Embassy of the DRC to Uganda headed by Jean Pierre Massala and officials from Uganda’s Embassy to the DRC headed by James Mbahimba, the Private Sector in Uganda specifically the leadership of Sino- Uganda Economic Development Special Zone, headed by Rwabogo Odrek and Stephen Kaboyo as well as the Zhong Wu Beef Imports & Exports Company managed by Wang Hu and the local  district community for undertaking this initiative and ensuring commencement  of beef production for export to the DRC. 

Speaking on behalf of Rtd. Maj. Jessica Alupo, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Francis Mwebesa the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, conveyed a message of gratitude to Lukwebo for honoring the invitation to commission this facility. 

The Vice President also appreciated the efforts of Museveni for undertaking this initiative to enhance the value chain in the cattle beef processing market in Uganda and affirmed Government’s commitment to meet the demand of export of beef products to the DRC. 

The DRC is Uganda’s major trading partner, with an export trade volume of $578.9m registered in 2019, rising from $491.4m in 2018. 

The Zhong Wu Beef Imports and Exports Company is the anchor project with the required amenities provided and supported by the Government ministries, specifically Ministry of Agriculture Animal and Fisheries, Uganda Investment Authority and all regulatory bodies.  

The abattoir is the first of its kind in the western part of Uganda in what’s commonly known as the Cattle Corridor. This was deliberately and purposely created by Museveni to enhance the value chain in the cattle beef processing market in Uganda.  

The company has set up a state of the art modern abattoir (meat processing plant) with a fully automated production plant and storage with 400 daily animal processing capacity ready for export. 

In attendance was Lt. Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama, the Minister of State for Animal Industry Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu the Special Presidential Advisor on Economic Affairs and Manifesto Implementation, James Mbahimba Uganda’s Ambassador to the DRC, Jean Pierre Massala the Ambassador of the DRC to Uganda, Odrek and Kaboyo representing Sino Uganda, Amb. Katureebe Tayebwa the head of regional economic department, Dr. Edith Namutebi Counselor Uganda Embassy Kinshasa, Stephen Asiimwe, the Executive Director at the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, the political leadership of the district headed by Wilson Kajwengye (Nyabushozi County), farmers and other members of the business community.