Government has stepped in to solve the underlying problem of limited market access for excess produce that has been leaving fruit farmers in un expected losses.
By encouraging and facilitating the establishment of more processing plants, OranaGate a newly established fruit processing facility is now providing significant hope to Ugandan local fruit farmers by offering a consistent market for their produce, mitigating post-harvest losses, and increasing household incomes.
Located in Namanve Industrial Park, OranaGate Factory is set to open and start operations in May 2026. The UGX 22.5 billion factory is a strategic partnership between a Ugandan firm, Southgate Properties Ltd, and Orana AS from Denmark. The factory is designed as an integrated fruit processing and bottling plant with the capacity to process five metric tons of fruit per hour.
The plant will add significant value to locally grown produce, turning pineapples, mangoes, passion fruits and tomatoes into high-quality pulp and concentrates for both regional and international markets.
During his tour of the factory ahead of its commissioning in May this year, the Minister of Trade, Industries and Cooperatives, Hon. Francis Mwebesa has commended Southgate Properties Ltd and Orana AS Company for their confidence in Uganda and highlighted the factory’s potential.
“This is the kind of investment we envisioned when we championed the Buy Uganda Build Uganda Policy. By processing our fruits here, we are not only creating jobs for our people and expanding our economy, but we are also providing a reliable market for our farmers,” said Mwebesa
“This factory will turn our farmers’ produce into premium, shelf-stable products that can compete globally,” explained Mwebesa.
The Minister also lauded the factory’s innovative co-packing model, which will allow local entrepreneurs to produce their own branded products using Oranagate’s facilities.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by manufacturers, including the need for improved infrastructure in the industrial parks. He noted that the government has already embarked on working on the roads within Namanve Industrial Park.
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The minister’s visit underscored the Ministry’s commitment to the “Buy Uganda, Build Uganda” (BUBU) policy and its dedication to supporting private-sector-led industrial growth, which is a strong pillar to the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) for Uganda (FY2025/26 – FY2029/30).
Mwebesa noted that such an investment will provide a solution to the losses experienced by fruit farmers in areas like Greater Luwero due to market access challenges, low prices, and absence of a local processing facility to handle seasonal surpluses.
Richard Munyaneza, the Country Director OranaGate nsaid that their aim is to address a structural market gap between the farm and the market, by adding value and creating shelf-stable products for regional distribution and export.
He noted that the facility is a pulp plant with a 5-ton-per-hour intake capacity, and will be processing mango, pineapple, tomato, and passion fruits into pulp, and further into concentrate primarily for export.
Munyaneza says OranaGate Factory intends to provide co-packing services to Ugandan entrepreneurs. “We shall provide an opportunity for Ugandan entrepreneurs with innovative ideas but lacking capital for machinery and technical expertise, to start their business journey with only working capital. OranaGate will do everything else for them, hence converting their dreams into real business, and add a stamp of approval on the international market, riding on the shoulders of OranaGate manufacturing practices that meet international standards,” explained Munyaneza.
The factory will do co-packing of fruit juice, water, herbal drinks, food condiments like mayonnaise and jam, and dried fruits.
In order to sustain the supply of raw materials to the factory, OranaGate intends to establish a nucleus farm to provide training and agronomy support to out-growers, further strengthening the supply chain and promoting sustainable organic farming practices.
“We are looking for land in the major pineapple growing areas where we will establish a nucleus farm, from where we shall provide training for the farmers, and agronomy support system for our out growers. We further intend to return the fruit waste (approx. 50MT per day in season) to the same farm to compost it and distribute it to farmers,” said Munyaneza.
The nucleus farm shall also be used to be a model organic farm, with a view to encouraging other fruit farmers to go organic. This will ensure that Uganda starts earning premium prices for their produce.
Niels Osterberg, the Danish business partner and Co-Director of OranaGate, provided insights into the technical operations and the factory’s commitment to global standards. He stated, “We are ensuring that all quality standards are met and followed for the organic certification of our fresh fruits. This is not just for local production, but to guarantee that our exports to international markets meet the highest requirements.” He added that this focus on certification would enable Uganda to earn premium prices for its produce abroad.
With a filling line capable of processing 4,000 bottles per hour and ambitious plans for expansion, Oranagate is poised to become a hub for agro-processing, SME incubation, and technology transfer, marking a significant milestone in Uganda’s industrialisation journey.
The state-of-the-art fruit processing plant set to revolutionize the agricultural value chain in Uganda. In the second phase to start next year 2027, OranaGate plans to establish a carbonated soft drink line of 12,000 bottles per hour, still under a co-packing arrangement.
Apart from incubating Uganda’s SMEs in manufacturing through co-packing, the facility will also enhance agricultural productivity through the training, extension services, compost for farmers, and ready market for the produce.
It will facilitate technology transfer, increase export revenue and create employment for Ugandans.
