A high-level delegation of officials from Operation Wealth Creation led by National Coordinator Gen. Kaleb Akandwenaho popularly known as Salim Saleh visited Atiak Sugar Project in Amuru district for an on the spot assessment. Gen. Saleh later announced that government would allocate 21 billion shillings from the Operation Wealth Creation budget to support Atiak Sugar and related endeavors such as grading roads and supporting sugarcane out growers in Amuru and the neighboring districts of Gulu and Ngoya. “Say how can the 21 billion plus go in the project, for us we were interested in spreading goats, pigs and what have you. He said all of you and that was last year if you don’t put money there and you lock it up there, close your offices and go.” Said, Gen. Salim Saleh – National Coordinator, Operation Wealth Creation. The flagship Atiak Sugarcane Company is a subsidiary of Correal Investments Limited owned by Somali-Uganda based Entrepreneur Amina Hassey Mogeh. Last year, she appealed to the government for a bailout following the collapse of Crane Bank that was the company’s key lender.
Acholi politicians including area MPs Gilbert Olanya of Kilak South and Anthony Akol of Kilak North welcomed the cash support and pledged full commitment to the success of the project. Democratic Party president said the funding was a miracle. “Government does not have a lot of money and these days if you want trouble, you ask for money. This is actually the second miracle General is that so much money has been released for this project. This is also an experiment which is likely to help the government to change strategy.” Said, Norbert Mao – President, Democratic Party. “The mentality that acquiring land in Acholi sub-region is a tag of war General, I think let people remove that away from their minds. What we are calling upon to the government is the approach. We were saying let the development come through the community.” Said, Gilbert Olanya – MP for Kilak South. “I, therefore, want to take this opportunity to also inform you that by the heart of all the leaders of Northern Uganda we have decided to support this project with commitment.” Said, Anthony Akol – MP Kilak North.
In the apparent reference to the Madhvani Group Sugar Project that met resistance in the community, Acholi paramount Chief David Onen Achala II dismissed the perception that the Acholi do not want the development. “The people here want development and they want to use the right people to do the job. And if you do that surely like it is here you will get the project going on.” Said, David Onen Achana II – Acholi Paramount Chief. Earlier, the leaders toured the entire project area. Former Amuru Woman MP and Junior Water Minister Betty Bigombe who now works with the World Bank in the US and former East African Legislative Assembly Speaker graced the tour. “This kind of project is far much better. It is better than buying chicken, giving goats, giving pigs; this is a long-lasting project whereby I really feel your idea is good.” “But this is what I was telling you 20 years ago and you refused.” The price of sugar has dropped in recent months from as high as 6,000 shillings a kilo. Uganda suffers intermediate spikes in sugar prices yet there are at least 11 sugar companies in the country in addition to the importation of thousands of tons annually.
