Editor
The Maziba Fruit Wine Processing Plant in Maziba Sub County, Kabale District, is currently facing operational difficulties due to a lack of funds, transportation means, and approval from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
Commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni on June 21, 2015, the multi-million Maziba Wine plant was established to produce wine from pineapples under the supervision of the Uganda Industrial Research Institute. Despite the initial excitement among stakeholders, the Chairperson of Maziba Fruit Wine Producers, Robert Kemani, reveals that the plant is struggling due to financial constraints. They are unable to acquire modern containers, the UNBS stamp of approval, and a vehicle for transporting pineapples from the gardens to the factory.
Kemani emphasizes the need for a capital injection of 10 million Shillings to enable full operation and to conduct training sessions for farmers on wine production.
Despite promises made in 2019 by Ndorwa East County Member of Parliament, Wilfred Niwagaba, to collaborate with officials from the Uganda Industrial Research Institute, there is no latest information available about their intervention.
The Kabale District Commercial Officer, Erasmus Natumanya, declined to comment on the challenges faced by the Maziba Fruit Wine Processing Plant.
