The Minister of State for Trade, Hon. David Bahati, has rejected the proposed 10-acre site acquired for the long-awaited Shs 20 billion fruit processing factory in Luwero District, revealing that the designated land sits on a protected wetland.

The government-funded project, intended to process pineapples and seasonal fruits into juice concentrates, aims to curb massive post-harvest losses and create a stable market for fruit growers across the Greater Luwero sub-region.

Environmental compliance. Speaking on the decision, Minister Bahati emphasized that establishing an industrial facility on wetland terrain directly violates national environmental regulations and threatens local ecological stability. He instructed district technical officers to immediately identify alternative, legally compliant land to ensure the project moves forward without breaking environmental laws.

A balanced perspective. While environmental advocates have commended the ministry for upholding conservation policies, the decision has drawn mixed reactions from local leaders and pineapple farmers in Luwero. For over two decades, local growers have endured repeated delays on the promised facility, forcing many to sell perishable produce at giveaway prices to middlemen. Community representatives argue that while wetland protection is vital, bureaucratic delays in securing land continue to harm the local agricultural economy.

Looking ahead. District officials and the Ministry of Trade are now coordinating to expedite the acquisition of a suitable dry site so construction can commence. King Musah Media will continue to follow developments on this story as government searches for a new location.