Atiak Sugar Factory a Major Milestone in the Recovery of Northern Uganda – Mao

By Norbert Mao

Atiak massacre as the top result. Thanks to the initiative we know as Atiak  Sugar the top trending result is now Atiak Sugar factory!  That has come as a result of a shared vision between the family of Mzee John Omaya who leased the land to the investor, the investor, Dr. Amina Hersi Moghe of Horyral Investments Holding Company and the Government of Uganda.

The commissioning of Attiak Sugar is a major milestone in the recovery of Northern Uganda and Acholiland in particular. It’s not enough to silence the guns. The victims and survivors of war deserve a bountiful peace dividend. The economic recovery of this region will require a strategic partnership of the local community, the private sector and the government. It is our hope that Attiak Sugar changes the lives of the community and becomes a shining example of a successful Private Public Community
Partnership!

When Joseph Kony refused to sign the Juba Peace Agreement, President Museveni flew to Juba and signed the Agreement and pledged to implement the agreement with or without Kony’s signature. That act of signing the agreement turned the agreement into a promissory note. A promise is a debt. It is the expectation of Northern Uganda that that promissory note will be honored. If the promissory note is dishonored, then-President Museveni will be subject to the laws applicable to those who issue bouncing cheques!

The commissioning of Attiak Sugar is a major deposit in the account of Peace Dividends for the people of Northern Uganda. President Museveni deserves praise for this strong commitment to the industrialization of Northern Uganda. The industrialization of Northern Uganda is a logical step to give meaning to the massive investment in road and electricity infrastructure all over the country. We need industries to consume the electricity we generate and to add value to what we produce. These are the products that will then be transported on the roads we have and the railroads being planned.

But like Oliver Twist, we will never stop asking for more. We need more industries in this region of the North. We need locals to be supported to own industries too. That can only be possible if affordable loans from agencies like the Uganda Development Bank are made accessible to investors in this region. We call for the ring-fencing of a substantial part of the credit finance in UDB to be earmarked exclusively for Northern Uganda. We also call upon the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) to enhance its investment in Northern Uganda.

This call comes from the context of the government plan to support the recovery of this region from the effects of war. Thousands of ex-combatants live in our community. Their only skill is war. The only tool they have mastery over is the gun. These hands that previously wielded machine guns must now be prepared to operate factory machines, drive tractors, and fix complex automated equipment. The young people of Northern Uganda need to be prepared to dream new dreams. Dreams of peace and prosperity based on hard work in a country where the government cares for the people without discrimination.