New tobacco firm to be investigated
Aug 24, 2005
Trade state minister, Nathan Nabeta, has launched investigations into Bamuda Tobacco Company, a new tobacco marketing firm that started operations in West Nile without a licence.
By Frank Mugabi
Trade state minister, Nathan Nabeta, has launched investigations into Bamuda Tobacco Company, a new tobacco marketing firm that started operations in West Nile without a licence.
During the opening of this year’s tobacco marketing season at the British American Tobacco (BATU) base at Pajulu in Arua town recently, Nabeta said he had assigned David Oule, a commercial officer in the ministry, to investigate and file a report on how the ministry should react.
“According to the ministry, Bamuda has not yet fulfilled requirements to qualify for a licence as stipulated under the Tobacco Act of 1966,†he said.
Bamuda allegedly registered farmers from whom it will buy raw tobacco.
Nabeta visited Bamuda’s poorly-constructed buying and storage facility in Koboko.
Bamuda’s operations have caused an outcry from BATU, Continental Tobacco Uganda and Leaf Tobacco and Commodities, the only licensed tobacco marketeers in West Nile.
The companies say they have financed farmers in the region to grow the crop.
Trade state minister, Nathan Nabeta, has launched investigations into Bamuda Tobacco Company, a new tobacco marketing firm that started operations in West Nile without a licence.
During the opening of this year’s tobacco marketing season at the British American Tobacco (BATU) base at Pajulu in Arua town recently, Nabeta said he had assigned David Oule, a commercial officer in the ministry, to investigate and file a report on how the ministry should react.
“According to the ministry, Bamuda has not yet fulfilled requirements to qualify for a licence as stipulated under the Tobacco Act of 1966,†he said.
Bamuda allegedly registered farmers from whom it will buy raw tobacco.
Nabeta visited Bamuda’s poorly-constructed buying and storage facility in Koboko.
Bamuda’s operations have caused an outcry from BATU, Continental Tobacco Uganda and Leaf Tobacco and Commodities, the only licensed tobacco marketeers in West Nile.
The companies say they have financed farmers in the region to grow the crop.