Canned bushera hits market
Oct 29, 2008
An innovative young entrepreneur in Masaka, Peter Njawuzi, 35, has opened a soft drink processing factory which makes packed obushera, a local soft drink. Marketed under the BESSA brand name, the soft drink is packaged in 330ml cans.
An innovative young entrepreneur in Masaka, Peter Njawuzi, 35, has opened a soft drink processing factory which makes packed obushera, a local soft drink. Marketed under the BESSA brand name, the soft drink is packaged in 330ml cans.
Multiline International Limited is the first bottling firm to process and pack the soft drink. Njawuzi, a civil engineer turned businessman, also has a certificate in food product design from Malaysia.
The firm received a certificate of recognition at the Presidential Export Promotions Awards early this month. Njawuzi talked Faustin Mugabe.
Question: When did you get the idea to start a factory to make Obushera soft drink?
Since the mid-1990s, I have been in mineral water distribution in Masaka and the surrounding areas.
One day, while I was in Lukaya trading centre, a respectable gentleman parked an expensive car to buy obushera packed in used plastic mineral bottles from a make-shift shop.
He was, however, forced to hide behind the shop to quench his thirst when people stared at him. This sent me thinking on how I could change such a scenerio.
I later carried out research and discovered that people from all walks of life enjoy obushera.
However, most of them were concerned about hygiene, packaging and the selling points.
What were you doing before venturing into the obushera making business?
I had many businesses. Presently, apart from the factory, I am also engaged in information technology busenesses, civil construction and DStv dealership in and around Masaka.
What ingredients do you use to make BESSA?
Our product is a non-alcoholic drink. It is made from millet, sorghum malt and honey.
What has been the public’s response towards product?
It has been overwhelming. Since we started commercial production about four months ago, we have been receiving only compliments and recommendations from our customers including high-profile people.
Owing to the product’s uniqueness and strong support from the public, we have contracted Green Belt Developers to distribute and market it.
Are you a sole proprietor in this business?
No. I have a business partner called Robinah Nantimba. She is my co-director.
What is the factory’s production capacity?
We produce over 500 cartons (each containing 24-330ml cans) daily.
How many people do you employ?
We have eight permanent employees, while seven others are on temporary basis terms.
Is your obushera certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics?
Yes. The standards body is aware of our product. They inspected our factory in August.
We are, however, awaiting product certification because it takes six months.
to verify a product after its inception.
Multiline International Limited is the first bottling firm to process and pack the soft drink. Njawuzi, a civil engineer turned businessman, also has a certificate in food product design from Malaysia.
The firm received a certificate of recognition at the Presidential Export Promotions Awards early this month. Njawuzi talked Faustin Mugabe.
Question: When did you get the idea to start a factory to make Obushera soft drink?
Since the mid-1990s, I have been in mineral water distribution in Masaka and the surrounding areas.
One day, while I was in Lukaya trading centre, a respectable gentleman parked an expensive car to buy obushera packed in used plastic mineral bottles from a make-shift shop.
He was, however, forced to hide behind the shop to quench his thirst when people stared at him. This sent me thinking on how I could change such a scenerio.
I later carried out research and discovered that people from all walks of life enjoy obushera.
However, most of them were concerned about hygiene, packaging and the selling points.
What were you doing before venturing into the obushera making business?
I had many businesses. Presently, apart from the factory, I am also engaged in information technology busenesses, civil construction and DStv dealership in and around Masaka.
What ingredients do you use to make BESSA?
Our product is a non-alcoholic drink. It is made from millet, sorghum malt and honey.
What has been the public’s response towards product?
It has been overwhelming. Since we started commercial production about four months ago, we have been receiving only compliments and recommendations from our customers including high-profile people.
Owing to the product’s uniqueness and strong support from the public, we have contracted Green Belt Developers to distribute and market it.
Are you a sole proprietor in this business?
No. I have a business partner called Robinah Nantimba. She is my co-director.
What is the factory’s production capacity?
We produce over 500 cartons (each containing 24-330ml cans) daily.
How many people do you employ?
We have eight permanent employees, while seven others are on temporary basis terms.
Is your obushera certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics?
Yes. The standards body is aware of our product. They inspected our factory in August.
We are, however, awaiting product certification because it takes six months.
to verify a product after its inception.