President Museveni has Commissioned the New National Enterprise Corporation Uzima Natural Mineral Water Production Plant in Kakiri barracks, Wakiso district.
The President appreciated UPDF troops for identifying with the development needs of the population, adding that the production of natural mineral water by the army is a plus, in terms of economic growth.
He added that Uzima water adds to the national natural mineral water grid locally produced in the country, and helps the army in building capacity.
He said Uganda’s economic future gets brighter every passing day as UPDF takes on the development of various government projects like roads and the Standard Gauge Railway, among others.
The President further promised to connect more electric lines to the area and buy more land to construct a Mini-Industrial Park for NEC. “Thank you Lt Gen Mugira for getting the patient out of the hospital, now the patient can walk,” he concluded.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Hon. Vincent B Ssempijja commended the President for guiding the transformation process in the country and region.
He noted that UPDF through NEC established a water processing and manufacturing plant called Uzima water to bridge the gap in the production of natural water.
Hon Ssempijja mentioned that the water plant is an important utility to the Forces and processes 4000 bottles of water per hour. “Uzima water is the most trusted bottled water for both local and regional consumption, ” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi, the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda commended UPDF troops for engaging in national development activities. He said: “NEC to produce over 4000 bottles per hour is surely an achievement to UPDF and to our Country.”
He added that NEC was established to effectively utilize the extensive resources available in the country and produce goods and services that contribute to national growth and development.
The NEC Chairman Board of Directors Gen (Rtd) Joram Mugume thanked all the staff of NEC for their commitment to the success of the project.
He confirmed that NEC was established in 1989 to serve as the commercial arm of the army.
Gen Mugume noted that all the social economic transformation evidenced in the country is hinged on UPDF discipline and following the correct ideology as guided by the President and Commander in Chief of the UPDF Gen Museveni.
It produces goods and services for the UPDF fraternity and the general public.
NEC also has other subsidiaries like Luwero industries, NEC Construction Works and Engineering, NEC Tractor Projects and Hire Schemes, NEC Katonga Farm, NEC Uzima Farm and NEC Pharmaceuticals.
It is also involved in joint ventures like Kyoga Dynamics located in the Nakasongola district.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEC Lt Gen James Mugira lauded UPDF leadership for their unwavering support towards the success of their project.
UZIMA Natural Mineral Water was launched on 6th Feb 2016 during Tarehe Sita celebrations at Kololo Independence ceremonial grounds. UZIMA mineral water is fresh, rich in natural minerals and processed using State – of – Art technologies to guarantee the production of a safe and high-quality product. “NEC puts a lot of emphasis on quality. The new production facility has functional onsite laboratories for chemistry and microbiology testing,” Lt Gen Mugira said.
NEC Uzima water is one of the subsidiaries of NEC and generally produces bottled – drinking water for national consumption at a reasonable cost.
The Commissioning ceremony of Uzima Natural Mineral Water happened under the theme: “Recognizing the sacrifices of the founders of the Peoples’ Revolution for Social Economic Transformation.”
It was also attended by the MODVA Permanent Secretary Mrs. Rosette Byengoma, General Manager of the Uganda Air Cargo Corporation (UACC) Lt Gen Nakibus Lakara, General Manager Luwero Industries Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi, UPDF Officers and Men, representatives from local Councils, Security Organs and religious leaders, among others.