UIA SME TrainingMushroom Soil Preparation

Training workshop on candle making, mushroom growing and value addition

Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) in collaboration with the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) conducted a technical skills training in candle making, mushroom growing and value addition from the 29th May to 2nd June, 2017 at Mparo Community Hall, Kabale District

Industrialization of Uganda is one of the mandates for Uganda Investment Authority and Uganda Industrial Research Institute and as such, a hands on skills training in mushroom growing and value addition was conducted to empower participants with hands-on practical skills in production of mosquito repelling candles, high quality fresh mushrooms, and mushroom value added products such as mushroom powder, mushroom soup, mushroom porridge, and mushroom-soy paste. With these skills, women would be able to start-up sustainable candle and mushroom production enterprises that produce high quality products for both national and international markets thus impacting on their household incomes, food and nutrition security as well as leading to the growth of the industrial sector in Uganda.

A total number of 50 participants were trained from Rwamucucu Sub County and mobilized by Ms. Samalie Nabaasa, a manager of Equal Opportunities for Women and Children, a group of women and children with mental and physical disabilities.

UIA project coordinator, Mr. Byaruhanga Stephen informed people of the activities of Uganda Investment Authority and its contribution to the growth of SMES by addressing some of the challenges MSMEs face like lack of entrepreneurial skills, business registration, access to machinery, access to finance, access to markets, lack of business records, low quality of products, and services etc. He assured the people of UIA’s continuous commitment to fund Technical Skills Training for Value addition in various subsectors e.g. bakery, dairy processing, fruit juice processing, soap productions among others to organized groups or Associations covering the entire nation.

PICTORIAL

Participants draining cotton and sorghum husks and then mixing them with lime before boiling