BY MIKE RWOTHOMIO

The Greater Nebbi Elders Council, comprising representatives from Zombo, Nebbi, and Pakwach districts, has called on farmers to scale up agricultural production to capitalize on the imminent completion of a multi-billion agro-industrial processing facility in Nebbi District.

The state-of-the-art plant, located in Parombo Town Council, is designed to process cassava, maize, and sweet potatoes, offering a robust market for these locally grown commodities.

Spanning 50 acres, with plans for expansion to 100 acres, the facility is slated for commissioning in early 2026 and is projected to generate over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.

On October 10, 2025, the Elders Council conducted a familiarization tour of the facility, guided by Bob Oyoma, Managing Director of Oyoma General Stores (OGS), the parent company behind the project.

Greater Nebbi Elders Council during the tour of the plant at Parombo town council, Nebbi District, on October 10, 2025. Photo/Mike Rwothomio

The hour-long tour showcased the plant’s advanced processing units, underscoring its capacity to transform the region’s agro-industrial landscape.

Speaking to journalists post-tour, Oyoma praised the Elders Council for their support and emphasized the plant’s role in absorbing local agricultural output.

He highlighted that the facility’s daily consumption target shall be 60 tonnes of cassava, equating to 1.8 million tonnes monthly, necessitating a significant upsurge in production to meet demand.

“This agro-industrial complex is a game-changer for our farmers. I urge the Elders Council to mobilize farmers to ramp up production of cassava, maize, and sweet potatoes to fully leverage this ready market,” Oyoma stated.

He added, “The facility will drive economic transformation by providing a consistent demand for local produce, enabling farmers to improve their livelihoods.”

The Parombo plant, a flagship project of Oyoma General Stores, will specialize in ethanol production, aligning with Uganda’s broader industrialization agenda.

OGS, a diversified enterprise with operations across Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, currently employs over 3,000 people, with 95% of its workforce drawn from the Greater Nebbi sub-region.

Emilio Odongo, President of Forum for development of greater Nebbi urged mindset shift amongst farmers.

The new facility is expected to further bolster employment, offering both blue-collar and white-collar opportunities, including roles for graduates from the region.

Canon Kura Vasco, Chairperson of the Greater Nebbi Elders Council, lauded Oyoma’s initiative as a visionary step toward regional economic empowerment. 

“We commend Bob Oyoma for this transformative agro-industrial investment. We urge farmers to seize this opportunity by increasing production to meet the plant’s demand, which will enhance household incomes and support education and other needs,” Kura said. 

He further called for additional investors to emulate Oyoma’s model, stating, “Imagine the impact of five such initiatives in Greater Nebbi.”

The project aligns with the Government of Uganda’s industrialization strategy, which prioritizes job creation, particularly for the youth, who constitute over 70% of the population.

Uganda’s manufacturing sector currently employs 1.2 million people, surpassing the 400,000 in public service, and facilities like the Parombo plant are poised to further strengthen this sector.

Emilio Odongo, President of the Forum for Development of Greater Nebbi, emphasized the need for a mindset shift in the region’s agricultural and employment sectors. 

“This is about changing the narrative. Greater Nebbi must lead in supplying cassava, maize, and sweet potatoes to this facility, rather than relying on imports from regions like Acholi, Lango, Bunyoro, or the DR Congo,” Odongo urged.

John Pascal Wapokra, Minister of Lands and Production in the Alur Kingdom, described the plant as a “generational opportunity” and called for unified stakeholder support.

Similarly, Samuel Katusime, the Male Youth Councillor for Parombo Town Council, praised OGS for its role in reducing unemployment and crime in the region.

He criticized local leaders obstructing such investments, noting, “Oyoma employs 95% of its workforce from Greater Nebbi, directly supporting government efforts in poverty alleviation.”

Savior Rwothomio, Nebbi District Youth Chairperson, echoed the call for support, stating, “We must champion assets that drive development in Greater Nebbi.”

Muhamad Ozelle, Chairperson of the West Nile Farmers’ Seed Distribution Association, urged farmers to boost production to “feed this factory” upon its launch.

Bob Oyoma, the managing Director of OGS, urged for increased production amongst farmers.

The initiative aligns with President Museveni’s vision of industrialization as the cornerstone of wealth creation, modernization, and mass employment.

The Uganda Investment Authority’s plans to establish industrial parks in Nyaravur-Angal Town Council and Madi-Okolo further complement this vision, aiming to enhance market access for local products and create jobs.

Beyond its economic impact, OGS has demonstrated corporate social responsibility by supporting local musicians, performing artists, and sports clubs such as Nebbi Central Football Club and Pakwach Young Stars.

According to the 2024 population census, approximately 700,000 Ugandans in the working-age group face prolonged unemployment, while 9.4 million of the 25.1 million aged 14-64 are employed across various sectors. The Parombo agro-industrial complex is poised to address these challenges by fostering sustainable economic growth and reducing reliance on imported raw materials.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot informations