KYANKWANZI— The Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho, popularly known as Salim Saleh, has challenged local and international investors to seize the opportunity presented by Uganda’s machine-making technology, describing it as a critical foundation for the country’s industrial transformation.
Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FARASI Agricultural Company Limited, The Grain Council of Uganda (TGCU), and Operation Wealth Creation at the Kirema Heritage branch of the Gen. Akandwanaho School of Research in Kyankwanzi, Gen. Saleh revealed that a sophisticated machine capable of manufacturing other machines and spare parts has remained idle for years at the Namanve Industrial Park.
“The President brought in a machine-making machine at the request of Uganda’s industrial sector, but it has remained unused despite its enormous potential,” Gen. Saleh said, urging industrialists to take advantage of the facility to boost local manufacturing.
He emphasized that the partnership with FARASI should not be interpreted as granting the company exclusive rights, noting that OWC has existing collaborations with several tractor suppliers. Instead, he described the agreement as a strategic effort to support Uganda’s ambition of producing a locally made tractor with up to 85 percent of its components sourced within the country.
According to Gen. Saleh, the FARASI initiative represents a major milestone in Uganda’s industrialization journey. Beyond producing affordable tractors tailored to local farming conditions, the project is expected to create jobs, develop technical skills, and strengthen the country’s manufacturing capacity.
He further challenged the company to establish regional service centres across the country, saying they should provide not only spare parts but also a complete range of agricultural support services to farmers.
The National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), represented by Gen. Innocent Oula, pledged full support for the initiative through the production of spare parts and the deployment of FARASI tractors on its commercial farms.
The ceremony attracted several senior government officials, including Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba, the Commissioner General of Prisons, the Inspector General of Police, officials from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, and representatives from various government institutions, highlighting the growing national interest in strengthening Uganda’s industrial and agricultural sectors.
The renewed call to operationalize the idle machine-making facility is expected to reignite debate on Uganda’s industrial policy, with stakeholders viewing local manufacturing as a key driver of economic growth, value addition, import substitution, and employment creation.
