Uganda is set to begin producing footwear and sole at Kawumu Leather Industry in Luwero District.
Established by the government of Uganda under the presidential initiative and practical intervention on the leather value chain, the industry is currently processing a total of 59 leather types from animal hide and skin.
On Wednesday, December 18th, 2024, over 70 journalists from Teso and Karamoja toured the leather processing plant at the invitation of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
While at the plant, the media workers were received by Solomon Getu, the leather expert and the plant manager, who took them through all the stages of processing.
He said since the industry was established, they have created a huge market for hide and skin, employed 135 workers, and produced high-quality leathers, which are described as the best quality within Africa.
In their next stage, Getu said the plant will be producing footwear and soles with a total of 700 pairs of shoes and 4000 soles daily.
He said the plant will employ over 1000 workers once they start shoe and sole production early next year.
“Raw hide and skin produce 20% of quality leathers, and 80% is waste, which is later used for making glue, chemicals, smart fertilizer for coffee, and other products. We are partnering with Kyambogo University and the China Leather and Footwear Research Institute to solidify innovation and creativity,” said Getu.
Getu explained that the leather value chain has several partners, including farmers, cattle traders, butcher operators, experts, among others.
“This will now stop Uganda from being a raw material-supplying country. Uganda has a total of 14.2 million cattle, 16 million goats, and 4.5 million sheep. This can offer huge raw materials,” he explained.
Currently, leather products made from the plant are already being sold in the open markets to make shoes, wallets, bags, belts, among others
located at Kawumu village, Makulubita sub county in Luwero District, the plant seeks to cause enormous value addition on raw hide and skin, value creation, export promotion, employment opportunities, and promotion of local industries, among other things.
The Journalists also visited Kawumu Presidential Demonstration Farm in Luwero District where they were taken through various enterprises being promoted by the President including poultry, diary, coffee and Banana plantations.
The journalists who recently met the president while on a PDM assessment tour in Teso and Karamoja requested for a wealth creation tour of model farms in the country to strengthen mindset change to enable them to successfully engage in production.
They have so far visited model farms started with PDM funds in Amudat, Nakapiripirit, and Kibuku.
The journalists also visited a model farm of Joseph Ijala in Serere District, and they will visit other farms in Mubende, Fort Portal, and Kiruhura districts.
