#OutToLunch A factory in every town will complement the markets that have been set up

By Denis Jjuuko

In Soroti, in an area full of shanty buildings with rusty iron sheets stands a majestic building that could be mistaken for a modern shopping mall. The architecture is quite impressive for the town’s (or is it city) standards.

As I wonder who could be putting up this shopping mall and whether Soroti can sustain such an investment, my eyes land on the signage. It is the market being built by the government of Uganda. I am actually impressed. I have been to many major towns or cities where such markets have been built but the Soroti one stands out. Not in size really but in ‘modern’ aesthetics.

The government must actually be commanded for such markets. Vendors won’t have to suffer selling stuff in filthy conditions. Rain is no longer an issue as it previously was. Customers now have parking and such other amenities. I hope that those responsible for these markets will take great care of them.

These markets are mega in size and in some towns like Moroto, they really stand out as the biggest building in the area. This means that the government didn’t spare any coin in building them.

However, when you visit these markets especially in parts that aren’t dealing with fresh produce and vegetables, you realize that most of the stuff being sold are imported. If we can build markets this big, we can also build factories.

In all major regions of the country, there is a product that can be made. This depends on what the particular region is known for. This would add value to the products, give them a longer shelf life and create thousands of jobs in each region. Young people wouldn’t have to think that they have to migrate to Kampala to make it in life.

Businesspeople in upcountry towns won’t have to think like many of them do now that to become truly successful, they must own something like a hotel in Kampala.

Since we import stuff as easy to make as tomato sauce, we can add value to these products and reduce imports while at the same time earning more from exports. The government simply needs to identify and focus on one major factory per a region or even town.

When you get to have major factories in a particular area, other businesses actually are set up to either feed that factory or to make complimentary products that factory needs. Factories also need spare parts, service and maintenance so entrepreneurs in machining and milling will set up shop.

One major factory in a town would lead to unprecedented development in the area. Housing, education, entertainment and recreation, health care, financial services and even super markets would set up.

Instead of the mega markets that have been built selling imported stuff, they would be stocking lockly made products. The farmers would have better returns on their harvests since there would a be factory taking their produce. Traders wouldn’t be so worried about selling their stuff before they go bad.

Young educated people wouldn’t be lining up in queues that stretch a mile at the Ministry of Internal Affairs to get passports so that they can become maids and nannies in the Middle East. They would remain and work here at home and gain invaluable skills. There aren’t many skills one gets in being a house maid.

Yet some of the factory workers and their managers as well as entrepreneurs would look at the factory’s value chain and invest in smaller factories, creating more jobs. Logistics businesses such as transporters would also grow moving raw materials to the factory and then taking out the final products to the market.

The markets in their current form are good and necessary but they should be complimented by government setting up major factories in the regions so that traders stock less of what is imported, give farmers more value and create a value chain that would significantly lead to development.

The writer is a communication and visibility consultant. djjuuko@gmail.com

*Photo of Moroto Market

Related

Out to Lunch

#OutToLunch: Favourable interest rates are good for everyone, not just government blueprint for politicians and entrepreneurs building churches

#OutToLunch: A blueprint for politicians and entrepreneurs building churches By Denis Jjuuko When it comes to religion, many times politicians, billionaire entrepreneurs, the middle class and other classes agree. At least on building magnificent houses of God. Across Uganda, many people have contributed or even single handedly built these houses of God. Fancy to a fault, majestically standing on hills with spires that compete with those seen in Hollywood movies. Many of these worship centres, particularly those single handedly built by one person or a family with their friends, are usually located in rural areas where the funders were born, walked barefoot to school before migrating to Kampala to find fortune and fame. The floors are of Italian or Spanish marble, porcelain or at worst polished terrazzo. Stained glasses with the beautiful image of the Virgin Mary complete the curvy life size windows. The pews are of the hardest wood. The world’s best sound engineers come in to install the public address system. The house of God must be fancy. Once construction is complete, they call in their Kampala friends for the grand opening. The clergy lines up at the foot of the building to welcome them. The parking lot is full of the most expensive SUVs. The parishioners walk in every prayer day fearful of stepping on the floors, sometimes so shiny that they see their own body reflections. Their best clothes can’t even be used to clean the pews. They can scratch them. For a moment, the poor are in heaven before returning to their houses where floors are screeded with cow dung. There is nothing wrong with people using their fortune and connections to build grand churches or mosques. It is their money; their appreciation of what God has helped them achieve. They no longer have some of these other problems so they can “give back” to God. The problem is whether the grandeur church is what the community really needs. Shouldn’t politicians, the rich and famous first do a needs assessment? Usually, besides the magnificent house of God stands a school with a falling roof or whose walls are being held in place by crooked timber poles. Windows are just wide openings where mild steel frames would do. Inside some of the classrooms, are anthills. Pupils sit on logs and like their homes, the cow dung is the main material used for floor screeding. Teachers look like they last had a decent meal on Christmas day. The health centre is miles away and poorly equipped. The only hope for survival whenever they fall sick is through prayer in the church built for them by the only person who was lucky enough to survive the biting poverty. Yet the funders go to India or Kenya or Germany whenever they feel any discomfort. And are not afraid to give testimony that last time they fell sick, they traveled to Europe for better management and while there, they were thankful to God for their life hence the magnificent church building. Yet the blueprint for an impactful church exists. In most cases wherever the Catholics built a church, they built a school as well and almost everywhere they set up their regional headquarters (read a diocese), they built a functional hospital. They knew that you can’t pastor the dead! They also knew that an educated population is good for them and their beliefs. Some people call it sustainability and perhaps that is why they have existed for millennia. You saw how they put on a show at Pope Francis’ funeral. Why can’t politicians and billionaire businessmen do the same? If you have Shs6 billion (nearly US$2 million) like we heard of the Ssembabule church or the one in Mitooma, why not build a church of Shs2 billion, a school of Shs2 billion and a healthy centre of Shs2 billion? You could also may be build all those with about 70% of the kitty and create an endowment fund with the remaining 30%. The annual interest from the fund could be used to operate the school and the hospital. If 30% of Shs6b is invested say in a long-term treasury bond, it could give a net return of approximately Shs255m per a year or Shs21.3m per a month, enough to subsidize a rural school and health facility. Alternatively, an income generating project could be established alongside the church building. A factory to add value for the parishioners. It could be a dairy plant or a coffee factory depending on the area. A scholarship for the needy bright students could be another alternative. That way people wouldn’t have to meet their creator ahead of time. The writer is a communication and visibility consultant. djjuuko@gmail.com

Read More »
Out to Lunch

#OutToLunch: Favourable interest rates are good for everyone, not just government only we could learn from Pope Francis

#OutToLunch: If only we could learn from Pope Francis By Denis Jjuuko The death of Pope Francis came a little bit as a surprise. He had been seen publicly on Easter Sunday, another surprise, blessing the faithful from the balcony that overlooks St Peter’s Square. Even though he was visibly weak, it seemed he was on the road to recovery after spending more than a month in hospital being treated of double pneumonia. He was 88 years old. Pope Francis is the third pope to die in the last 20 years following John Paul II in April 2005 and Benedict XVI in December 2022 even though he (Benedict) had long resigned from this position due to ill health. That decision of Benedict to resign allowed Francis to assume office in March 2013. Less than two years after his election, Pope Francis made the long trip to Uganda, becoming the third pope to do so largely thanks to the Uganda martyrs. And like most of the papal visits especially to countries like ours, everything comes to a standstill. Roads are paved, buildings are rehabilitated and grass is planted, public holidays granted and that wasn’t any different in 2015. People traveled from far and near to attend the mass that he led. Even our politicians who usually don’t see eye to eye were seen shaking hands at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo. One wished the pope visited every day! Those who met the Pope either in Uganda, the Vatican or elsewhere all talk about his humility. As he departed Uganda, a photo is shared of him climbing the steps to his Shephard One aircraft at Entebbe International Airport. He was walking alone, one hand sometimes holding his papal soutane, and another carrying a black bag, perhaps with personal belongings. He could have had as many aides as he wished. He was the leader of more than a billion Catholics but he lived simply and perhaps sending a message to nobodies that they too can be humble. Many ministers in Uganda never carry their handbags, there is always somebody at hand to do so. He refused to move in expensive limos or SUVs while visiting Kampala preferring a simple black Kia hatchback. Again, in a country where every public official craves for the most powerful vehicles. He lived simply and probably wanted us to learn something. Servant leadership. Showing off was not his way of life. He also understood that the Catholic Church needed reforms in a world that is rapidly changing. It may not have made him a lot of friends within the conservatives but leadership is about making key decisions including those that are unpopular. That way he endeared many to the church. He wanted a world where peace existed. He prayed for peace and welcomed everyone including many that he probably didn’t agree with. Perhaps if they listened to him, the world would have been different. There would be less destruction. We can all live together. He kissed the feet of warrying parties and urged them to embrace peace. Those whose feet he kissed only shook hands for a day and some are at each other’s throats again. He must have died wondering what needed to be done to stop the wars and killings that go on unabated sometimes fighting for no particular reasons apart from the egos of leaders and wealth that they would still leave on earth. Pope Francis still sent a message to those who deprive wealth of others by stating in his will his desire for a simple burial without the ornaments and all stuff that his position could afford. If he didn’t enjoy a luxurious lifestyle when alive, it would mean nothing to his body. There is a lot that we can learn from Pope Francis. His humility, ability to embrace everyone and putting others first even when it came at a personal cost. He didn’t adhere to the advice of his doctors for complete rest. He kept on meeting people and drove through the crowd in his papal mobile on Easter Sunday. And if leaders can take his example, the world would be a better place. Peaceful and resources shared with everyone. The writer is a communication and visibility consultant. djjuuko@gmail.com

Read More »