Mbabaali appeals to gov't to re-open closed factories

The Bukoto South Member of Parliament Hajji Muyanja Mbabaali has appealed to government to quickly intervene and re-open the 40 coffee factories which were recently closed in his constituency in Kinoni town.

Addressing journalists at parliament today Mbabaali narrated that on May 17th, 2017, Uganda Coffee Development Authority officials (UCDA) raised the area and closed the factories for not conforming to the required moisture standards.

"It is the fault of UCDA that they never sensitized our people about the required standards. Each of the factories employs over 50 employees who are now all jobless at a time when their children have just gone back to school," Muyanja stated.

The legislator explained that the closure of the factories also affects hundreds of farmers who supply them with coffee.

He promised to work with UCDA officials to help the factory owners ensure that they do everything according to the required standards.

Mbabaali, who is also a businessman, argued that since coffee is the major source of livelihood for his people, reopening the factories needs to be done as soon as possible.