Kiruhura gets a $13million milk processing plant

Dairy Farmers in Kiruhura district had all smiles on their faces following the opening of the first ever milk processing plant in the milk shed of Kiruhura district.

The $13 million Vital Tomosi's Dairy factory was opened by the state minister for animal industry Lt. Col. Bright Rwamirama on Sunday.

The Vital Tomosi's Dairy factory is a joint venture of Tomosi's farm and Vital Capital Fund. According to Eitan Stibbe Vital Capital Fund, Founding Partner, the fund invests only in ventures that impact the society positively.

The factory was established to improve yields for local small hold dairy farmers, modernizing milk collection processes and strengthening food safety and also to to improve the social-economic conditions in the region, by directly engaging with local small-holder dairy farmers, modernizing and improving milk production

Rwamirama thanked Vital Tomosi's founders and the Vital Capital Fund for the attitude to bring the investment in the area which he said was a good luck that will improve farmers' income, creating employment and increasing standard of living for the people of Kiruhura. He challenged farmers to support the investment

"This factory has no wheels, no tires, it is not going to wake up in the morning and be driven away, it is your factory you must support it and give it good quality milk, don't chase away people who are coming to do investment that is necessary for the community," he said.

Rwamirama told hundreds of people who attended the opening ceremony the factory that Vital Tomosi's Dairy had become the 50th factory to be opened in Uganda.

He also informed them that Uganda's milk production has increased to 2.2 billion litres from 600,000 litres which was produced when government took over in 1986, with chilling facilities rising to 969 units and 249 milk tankers.

He said Kiruhura alone produces daily about 571,000 litres of milk which is marketed and records indicates that about 170,000 is not marketed.

Rwamirama assured investors that government will give them all the necessary support and guaranteed them safety of their investment .He also assured Vital Tomosi's Dairy founders of market for their products since there are five countries more Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan in the market.

He said his ministry put in place regional offices to implement regulations on milk to ensure farmers supply quality milk. He was happy that Ugandan milk can now be accessed in world market and attributed this to the regulations government put on milk.

He informed them that President pronounced VAT on milk. He said government was working with Kenya and Tanzania to make sure all taxes on milk is harmonized.

He challenges farmers that since they only consume 800 million litres of the 2.2 billion litres Uganda produces, they should produced quality market to fit in the world market.

He also challenged them to improve their genetic breeds and produce enough and stable milk.

He challenged Ugandans to start serving pastalized milk at their parties and other functions than serving sodas and water saying milk is not only good for the stomach but for their health.

He told them that consuming their own milk would also increase the price of their milk.

Janas Eyal Vital Tomos's Dairy factory Chief Executive Officer, said the plant will consume between 50000-100000 litres of milk every day.
He assured farmers that they will get sustainable market for their milk which he observed was the only issue concerning them.

Odrek Rwabwogo, the Tomosi's farm founding partner called for a need to put in place a beef processing plant which he said was highly demanded by farmers with in the area.

He said there is also a need to put in place a dairy institute where young people can be trained to deal with animal diseases. He also warned people employed at the factory to avoid adulteration and urged the community around to hold them accountable.

Col.Mwesigye Nyabushozi Member of Parliament, said when NRM came into power they had a mission of getting the country rid of dictatorship which they successfully accomplished and now their mission is to transform the country from a least developed to at least a middle income country.