President Museveni, Somalia’s First Lady Abdi Moallim officially open Atiak Sugar factory

President Yoweri Museveni yesterday held a meeting with the First Lady of Federal Republic of Somalia Saynab Abdi Moallim at State House Entebbe during which the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest between the two countries.

Ms. Abdi Moallim was in Uganda on a two-day working visit during which attended the official commissioning of Atiak Sugar Factory in Amuru district which was presided over by President Museveni on Thursday in Amuru district.

Atiak Sugar Factory is partly an establishment of Somali entrepreneur Dr. Amina Hersi Moghe and started production, four years after completion in Gem Pachilo village, Atiak sub-county, Amuru district.

The factory which is co-owned by Horyal Investments Holding Company Ltd and the Government of Uganda aims at creating jobs for the youth and opportunities for farmers recovering from the LRA conflict.

The President said the project will explore business opportunities between Uganda and Somalia, noting that goods trucks from the coast that transport goods to Sudan, would now return to the coast with sugar and sugar products.

He called on the people of Somalia to unite and look at common good of the people instead of focusing on tribes and clans.

“When the NRM came into power in 1986, the country was divided by religion and tribe. Somalia is united in religion but disunited by clans. Lets look at the common good of our people. This factory will boost trade and developments between our nations” he said.

The meeting was attended by among others Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia Rt Hon. Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid, Somali Ambassador to Uganda H.E Ali Mohamud and Advisor Nasra Wehliye Malin. Other officials included the Atiak Sugar Factory CEO, Amina Hersi Moghe and officials from Somalia and Uganda government and NRM Officials.