Modeste Bahati Lukwebo, the President of the Senate of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has paid an official visit to the Nshaara Industrial Park where he commissioned the Zhong Wu Beef Abattoir Imports and Exports Company under the Sino- Uganda Economic Development Special Zone.
The facility sits on 5 (five) square miles and is a joint venture between Chinese and Uganda investors that commenced development in 2017. It is located at Nshaara on Kampala- Mbarara highway in Ankole sub region. It is expected to host about 45 factories in Agro business, light manufacturing, ICT, Pharmaceuticals and beef production.
In his remarks, Modeste Bahati Lukwebo, conveyed a message of gratitude to Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda for the warm reception accorded to him and his entire delegation. He also reiterated that the main purpose of this visit is to further bolster the excellent cordial bilateral relations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Uganda.
While commissioning the facility, Lukwebo, hailed Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his commitment to improve bilateral trade between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The President of the Senate affirmed the willingness of the DRC to meaningfully explore these opportunities to boost trade for the mutual benefit of both countries.
The President of the Senate also commended the efforts of the officials of the Embassy of the DRC to Uganda headed by Jean Pierre Massala, and officials Uganda’s Embassy to the DRC headed by H.E. James Mbahimba, the Private Sector in Uganda specifically the leadership of Sino- Uganda Economic Development Special Zone, headed by Odrek Rwabogo and Stephen Kaboyo as well as the Zhong Wu Beef Imports & Exports Company managed by Wang Hu and the local district community for undertaking this initiative and ensuring commencement of beef production for export to the DRC.
Speaking on behalf of Rtd. Maj. Jessica Alupo, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Francis Mwebesa, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, conveyed a message of gratitude to HModeste Bahati Lukwebo for honoring the invitation to officially commission this facility.
The Vice President also appreciated the efforts of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for undertaking this initiative to enhance the value chain in the cattle beef processing market in Uganda and affirmed Government’s commitment to meet the demand of export of beef products to the DRC. The Democratic Republic of Congo remains Uganda’s major trading partner, with an export trade volume of USD 578,900,000 (Five Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, Nine Hundred Thousand USD Only) registered in 2019, rising from USD 491,420,000 (Four Hundred and Ninety-One Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand USD Only) in 2018.
The Zhong Wu Beef Imports and Exports Company is the anchor project with the required amenities provided and supported by the Government ministries, specifically Ministry of Agriculture Animal and Fisheries, Uganda Investment Authority and all regulatory bodies. The abattoir is the first of its kind in the western part of Uganda in what’s commonly known as the Cattle Corridor. This was deliberately and purposely created by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda to enhance the value chain in the cattle beef processing market in Uganda.
The company has set up a state of the art modern abattoir (meat processing plant).