By By Our Reporter
Uganda has taken a major leap toward strengthening its agricultural backbone with the announcement of a Shs641 billion organic fertilizer factory to be established in Kampiringisa, Mpigi District. The government has granted Itracom Fertilizers Uganda – SMC Ltd, under the leadership of Mr. Adrian Ntigacika, 133 acres of land to set up what is expected to become a game-changer for farmers across the country.
The move follows a directive from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who has consistently underscored the importance of boosting agricultural productivity through modern and sustainable methods. At a high-profile signing ceremony witnessed by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, government ministries, and development partners, the project was hailed as a bold step in addressing Uganda’s long-standing challenge of low soil fertility.
Itracom’s factory, backed by an investment of US$180 million (about Shs641.6 billion), will be constructed within 18 months and is projected to produce 250,000 metric tons of organic fertilizer annually. The plant will rely heavily on cow dung, supplemented by key minerals, to manufacture fertilizers designed to enrich Uganda’s depleted soils. An offtake arrangement is already in place, guaranteeing that the fertilizer produced in Uganda will be bought, giving farmers assurance of a steady supply chain.
Speaking at the ceremony, Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), highlighted the pressing needs of the sector—ranging from soil fertility management, irrigation, and mechanization, to improving seed and livestock genetics. He said the factory directly responds to the “non-negotiable” requirement for quality inputs to drive productivity.
The Kampiringisa project draws inspiration from Itracom’s successful ventures in the region, including factories in Burundi with a capacity of 350,000 metric tons and Tanzania with 1 million metric tons. Uganda is now positioning itself as the next hub for organic fertilizer production in East Africa.
Under the President’s directive, MAAIF will prepare a cabinet paper to formalize the partnership and mobilize farmers in the cattle corridor to supply cow dung, ensuring both community participation and sustainable sourcing of raw materials. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development will provide the necessary utilities to facilitate factory operations.
Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Ntigacika praised Uganda’s leadership and partners for their unwavering support. “This milestone demonstrates our shared commitment to advancing agriculture in Uganda. I thank the Government of Uganda, Prime Minister Nabbanja, the Ministry of Finance, and MAAIF for ensuring that this vision becomes reality,” he said.
Prime Minister Nabbanja commended President Museveni for his foresight, noting that the project was the fruit of collaboration between Uganda, Burundi, and key government ministries. “This partnership is about more than a factory—it is about transforming livelihoods, ensuring food security, and creating new opportunities for our farmers. The Itracom plant will be a cornerstone of Uganda’s agricultural journey,” she said.
As Uganda prepares to welcome this mega-project, the promise is clear: better soils, stronger harvests, and a new dawn for farmers who for years have struggled with declining yields due to poor fertility management. With production set to begin in less than two years, Kampiringisa may soon become a symbol of Uganda’s shift from subsistence farming to sustainable agribusiness.
