Alebtong Gets First Factory as RDC Commissions Apala Oil Processing Plant

BY BOBSON OPIO

ALEBTONG – Alebtong Gets First Factory as RDC Commissions Apala Oil Processing Plant

The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Alebtong, on Tuesday March 17, 2026, officially commissioned the new Apala Oil Processing Factory, marking a historic milestone as the first-ever factory in the district.

The RDC stood in for the Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, during the inauguration ceremony. In his address, he expressed optimism that this development would pave the way for more industrial growth in the area.

He emphasized the critical role of factories in tackling unemployment, noting that the establishment of the Apala plant is a significant step towards creating jobs for the local youth. "This is the first factory in Alebtong, and we hope it is just the beginning. Through such factories, we can effectively address the unemployment issues facing our people," he stated.

The RDC further relayed President Yoweri Museveni's message, reminding the community about the seed capital already provided through government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga. He urged the residents to fully embrace these initiatives and utilize the funds wisely to boost production.

Assumpta Ikiriza Tibamwenda, a Technical Adviser for Programme Support at the Ministry of Local Government, explained the rationale behind selecting Alebtong for the project. She revealed that the choice was influenced by the district's history of housing returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were resettling back to their ancestral homes.

Tibamwenda also provided an update on the funding framework. She noted that while the current program used to construct the factory—under the Local Economic Growth Support scheme—is winding down, Alebtong is already lined up to benefit from a subsequent initiative focused on watersheds. She took the opportunity to appeal to the cooperative society that will manage the factory to prioritize high standards, specifically urging them to brand their cooking oil effectively to compete in the market.

David Kennedy Odongo, the Alebtong District Chairperson, expressed the local government's gratitude for the new facility. He reaffirmed the district's vision to transform agriculture, stating that the factory aligns perfectly with their goals.

"We are very happy as a district. Our vision is to improve agriculture, and this factory is a key part of that. I urge all our farmers to increase their production of raw materials to ensure the factory runs at full capacity," Odongo said.

The commissioning of the Apala Oil Processing Factory is seen as a major boost for value addition in the agricultural sector, giving local farmers a ready market for their produce.