UNBS tips millers on acquiring modern plants
Sep 30, 2020
Acquiring modern milling plants might not be easy for individuals due to the costs involved but through merging it can be possible.
The recent controversy on the quality of distributed maize flour, to the needy members of the public affected by COVID-19 lockdown, was an eye opener to government.
When the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) took samples from procured maize flour to ascertain it's quality, some did not pass.
This implied that it was not fit for human consumption due to contamination with impurities.
Majority of milling plants in Kisenyi, Kampala and elsewhere in the country are locally fabricated with a possibility compromised quality of the final products.
Dr Ben Manyindo, UNBS Executive Director said though local millers have tried their best in supplying the local and regional markets, the technology applied is outdated.
He said it is high time millers merged to procuring better and modern plants that extract all the impurities from maize grains that are of danger to human consumption.
"The level of hygiene among millers and the storage practices for the maize grains and flour is still another challenge," said Dr Manyindo.
He said acquiring modern milling plants might not be easy for individuals due to the costs involved but through merging, it can be possible.
However, city millers under their umbrella organisation, Kisenyi Millers Association said they have not been supported by government despite the crucial role they play in the economy.
Frank Mulugo, the association administration officer said members have for long been complaining about the high electricity costs, but the issue has not yet been addressed.
He said currently their operation is under threat with escalating rent and lack of capacity to identity grains that are contaminated as revealed by UNBS.
Moses Kisitu, a maize miller based in Kampala said COVID-19 pandemic had severely impacted their operation with limited supply of maize flour.
He said closure of schools due to COVID-19 was among the major challenges they are currently facing, because schools were their major market.
"The current static low farm-gate price for maize grain is between sh500 to sh700 per kilogram. This is too low for a farmer to earn a living after meeting the operating costs based on the current value of the shilling, "said Kisitu.