Uganda's State Minister for Trade, David Bahati, has rejected a ten-acre site that the government acquired for the construction of a Sh20 billion fruit factory in Luwero District, saying the land is a wetland.
The government, through the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), plans to build the fruit processing facility in Luwero as part of efforts to add value to agricultural produce and support local farmers.
Bahati's rejection of the site highlights concerns over environmental protection, as wetlands in Uganda are protected under national environmental laws. The minister's decision means authorities will need to identify an alternative location for the project.
The planned factory is intended to process fruits grown in the Luwero area, providing a market for farmers and reducing post-harvest losses. No new site has yet been announced.
