EASTERN PROVINCE

NGOMA—Members of Kiguwabuku cooperative society last Sunday inaugurated their juice products before district and provincial officials.

The cooperative society found in Karenge Kibungo sector started as an association in 2006 with 17 members who have since shot to 40, thirty seven among them women, the first of its kind in the province.

They make juice from banana, maracuja, pineapple, passion and orange. Inaugurating their product, the president of the society Kabano Saidi said that they embarked on making juice to make use of abundant crops in east and utilize redundant cash generated by the members.

"We saw it necessary to create a market for the products produced in our region as well as creating job opportunities,” Kabano said.

He stressed that their society was ready to compete with other big companies in the country. Kabano decried high taxes on packaging bottles they import from Uganda, lack of machines, and skilled labour as some of the challenges. He also expressed uncertainty over retaining their staff.

"We have only two technicians of which we also fear losing them to other big companies that are able to pay them highly.”

They intend to make cakes, chocolates, soap and short cakes from banana, banana chips, yoghurt and ice cream from milk and get manure and animal feeds from waste products starting next year.

Jean Marie Vianne Makombe, in-charge of economic affairs in the province, appreciated the step the society has reached from a mere association to a juice making company and urged them for continued effort.

Without disclosing the amount, Makombe promised that the province would help the cooperative raise extra capital at the beginning of next year.

Mayor Francois Niyotwagira also promised district support in the growing of crops needed as raw materials to cater for increased production. He also urged them to seek funding from the bank since it is a recognized and registered cooperative society.

"But you should advertise your products to be known countrywide and you should learn to consume what you produce,” Niyotwagira said.

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