By: Ismael Kasooha
Tanzania
The Prime Minister of Uganda Robinah Nabbanja has had a working visit to a multi-billion fertilizer factory in Dodoma, Tanzania as one way of increasing partnership between Uganda and Tanzania.
The Itracom fertilizer factory is located in Nala Industrial area in Dodoma City in the center of Tanzania, uses cow dung to manufacture fertilizers.
The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah inspecting the fertilizer factor in Dodoma Tanzania
Nabbanja visited Itracom fertilizer factory that is 450km away from Dar es Salaam, at the sidelines of the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit as one way of strengthening business between the two sister countries.
Nabbanja who travelled by the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) for over 900km from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma and back, on arrival in Dodoma was received by the Minister for Trade and industry for Tanzania Selemani Saidi Jafo, the managing director Itracom fertilizers Tanzania Nduwimana Nazaire, the Tanzania high commissioner to Uganda among other officials.
Nabbanja after inspecting the fertilizer factory addressed leaders from both countries and stressed the need for fertilizer application for socio-economic transformation.
The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah with other officials pose for a group photo inside the Itracom Fertilizer Factory
“We have to sensitize our farmers to understand that fertilizer application is a must to increase production, productivity and profitability,” said Nabbanja.
Nabbanja said that to satisfy both local and international demand there is a need for farmers to apply fertilizers to replenish the exhausted soils.
She stressed the need for partnerships between the two sister countries to make use of the abundant land that is idle in the region.
“We need to explore ways of strengthening our partnerships between Uganda and Tanzania and the other multilateral organisations and individuals if we are to realise our intended goals and objectives,” said Nabbanja.
The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah inspecting the Fertilizer Factory in Dodoma Tanzania
Nabbanja briefed the leaders that President Yoweri Museveni advised that Rice from Tanzania should not be taxed as one way of supporting each other. Nabbanja appealed to Tanzania to also support Uganda in trade.
“We were taxing rice from Tanzania as one way of raising revenue but the president advised that this should stop because we are brothers and sisters. That is the spirit of the East African Community,” said Nabbanja.
The Minister for Trade and Industry in Tanzania, Selemani Said Jafo said that such visits are key in strengthening the cordial bilateral relations between the two sister countries and opening up trade opportunities.
“This visit is a milestone in the relationship of these two sister countries and should boost further our trade ties for greater benefits,” said Jafo.
The Minister of State for Energy from Uganda Okassai Opolot thanked Itracom fertilizers for the innovation to promote agriculture in the region.
“There is a need to patent this product or else other people will land on our product and take all the rights. The faster in finalizing the patenting, the better for our region,” said Okassai.
The Managing Director Itracom fertilizers Ltd. Tanzania Nduwimana Nazaire says that farmers need to use fertilizers if they are to be competitive on the market.
Itracom are in advanced plans of establishing a factory here in Uganda to start manufacturing fertilizers from cow dung. The factory shall be located at Kampiringisa in Mpigi District.
The Prime Minister was seen off at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam by senior government officials, Uganda’s high Commissioner to Tanzania, Col. (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye amidst jubilations from the people of Tanzania.
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