Hon. Francis Mwebesa, Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and cooperatives, recently visited the newly established OranaGate Fruit Processing Factory in Namanve Industrial Park. The facility, valued at UGX 22.5 billion, is a Uganda–Denmark partnership between Southgate Properties Ltd and Orana AS.
Set to be commissioned in May 2026, the factory will add value to Uganda’s pineapples, mangoes, passion fruits, and tomatoes, producing high-quality pulp and concentrates for both regional and international markets.
“This factory will turn our farmers’ produce into premium, shelf-stable products that can compete globally,” said Hon. Francis Mwebesa.
Key Investment Highlights
Installed capacity: 5 metric tons of fruit per hour
Filling line: 4,000 bottles per hour, with expansion plans underway
Integrated facility: Fruit processing and bottling plant
Investment: UGX 22.5 billion, partnership between Southgate Properties Ltd (Uganda) and Orana AS (Denmark)
Addressing Market Gaps and Supporting Farmers
OranaGate aims to bridge the gap between farmers and markets, providing a reliable platform for shelf-stable products and reducing post-harvest losses. By processing fruits locally, the factory will create jobs, increase household incomes, and strengthen Uganda’s value addition chain.
The facility plans to establish a nucleus farm to train out-growers, promote organic farming, and recycle fruit waste into compost for farmers, promoting sustainable agriculture.
“OranaGate will create jobs, grow Uganda’s economy, and provide a dependable market for local farmers by processing fruits right here at home,” noted Hon. Mwebesa.
Opportunities for SMEs and Entrepreneurs
The factory will offer co-packing services for fruit juice, water, herbal drinks, jams, mayonnaise, dried fruits, and more, enabling SMEs to build branded products without heavy machinery investment.
“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,” said Richard Munyaneza, Country Director, OranaGate.
Strategic Significance for Uganda
Supports the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) policy
Strengthens regional distribution and export capacity
Positions Uganda as a regional agro-processing hub
Promotes technology transfer, industrial skills development, and SME growth
The OranaGate Fruit Processing Factory is more than a production facility, it is a catalyst for Uganda’s agro-industrial growth, turning local fruits into premium products, supporting SMEs, and boosting both rural livelihoods and the national economy.
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