Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) has commended Masheda Mixed Farms for investing in a new aquafeeds factory, describing the initiative as an important contribution to Uganda’s agro-industrial development, job creation and growth of the fisheries sector.
The commendation was made by the Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. David Bahati, who represented the Chief Coordinator of OWC, Gen Caleb Akandwanaho (popularly known as Salim Saleh), at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Masheda Aquafeeds Factory in Buyala, Mpigi District.
Hon. Bahati commended Ms Esther Ampumuza, Founder and Executive Director of Masheda Foods and Masheda Mixed Farms, for her commitment to building a local enterprise that contributes to national development through investment, employment and value addition.
He urged local producers to maintain high production standards, utilise government-supported market opportunities and explore markets beyond Africa to expand their businesses.
Ms Ampumuza thanked the Government of Uganda, Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), OWC, the Buyala community, management and other partners for supporting the company’s growth.
She said the enterprise had grown from humble beginnings into a major business employing more than 300 people across infrastructure development, aquaculture, fish-feed production and value addition.
The ceremony also featured the introduction of an automated Black Soldier Fly processing facility designed to process approximately 30 tonnes of material daily into valuable products, supporting sustainable production and agricultural productivity.
The Minister of State for Fisheries, Hon. Robert Ndugwa Migadde, emphasised the need to strengthen Uganda’s fisheries value chain through access to quality fish fingerlings and feeds, farmer guidance, reliable markets and timely payments.
He urged fish farmers to adopt modern production practices to improve productivity and profitability.
The event attracted the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding; Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industry, Hon. Boniface Okot; Members of Parliament, diplomatic representatives, district leaders and officials from UDC, OWC and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
