Kalangala Gets Shs 8 BIllion Ice Processing Plant

An ice processing plant worth Ugx 8 billion has been completed at Mwena landing site to serve all fishermen in Kalangala district.
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The district made up of 84 islands will use one plant in the meantime while an additional plant s installed at Kitobo landing site. The developments are expected to ease the scarcity of Ice, often used by fishermen to preserve fish.

According to Jude Mwesigwa, the Head of the District Production Committee, construction of the plant stretched to five years because of unbearable challenges encountered in its establishment. The challenges included poor transport network and limited power supply among others.

He explains that the fishermen could only get ice from Entebbe and Kasensero landing site in Rakai which was too costly considering the cost of purchase and transport to Kalangala. A sack of ice costs between Ugx 300,000 and 350,000 on the mainland.

John Katumba, the Mwena Landing site Chairman says that fishermen have previously suffered huge losses in situations where the ice melts down after failing to get to the destination in time.

Paul Kato, a fisherman at Kasekulo, one of the biggest landing sites in Kalangala, says that besides saving the cost of transport and time, the existence of the plant will translate into a reduction in the cost of fish. Kato believes the price of ice per sack may reduce to Ugx 100,000.

Willy Lugoloobi, the Kalangala District Chairperson says the district will provide a transformer that will supply electricity to the plant and ensure sustainable production of ice.

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