Uganda is set to commence production of her own silk fabrics onset of silk reeling (post-cocoon processing) machines in the country.
Silk reeling machines have been received at two sericulture stations in Uganda, one set in Rubaare, Sheema District and another in Kween.
These came in after thorough verification by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) from Inland Container Depot (ICD), under the Uganda Regulatory Departments, to make sure they are of standard.
The post-cocoon processing machines are to start reeling silk as soon as assembling is done and this is anticipated to take about 2 months after arrival of engineers from China, since Uganda has no trained experts who can do the assembling yet.
Uganda has continued to put in more vivid efforts into sericulture, with partnership from the Government and other partners spread all over the World, as silk has evidentially put many economies to a great level, so the Government finds silk to be the next economy booster for Uganda’s economy.
Sericulture simply put is the production of silk, and in Uganda the Commercialization of Sericulture Technologies and Innovations in Uganda Project is executed by the Tropical Institute of Development Innovations (TRIDI), whose Headquarters are situated in Kyabakadde, Mukono.
TRIDI anticipates that as soon as Mechanical Engineers set foot in Uganda, the silk Reeling machines will be assembled and Uganda will have her first blink on the fine fabrics.
Silk is an expensive fabric worldwide, which gives outputs way much higher that other cash crops like coffee, cotton or tea.
Hon. Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, while at the machines launch event mentioned that the silk is considered royalty for its pricy nature and quality fabric, which exposes no allergic reactions to its users.
He added that silk and all its products have a high demand, therefore with the support from out-growers and all concerned bodies, Uganda has the capability to become a leading silk exporter in the world, just like China.
With these machines in the country, many opportunities come handy, as Uganda is also set to start training her own Engineers to specialize in silk machine assembly and other workers to specialize in reeling.
Clet Wandui Masiga, PhD, the project Principal Investigator says that this project is targeted to employ hundreds of thousands, there by eradicating poverty by providing improved household incomes for the citizens, which is an objective contribution that the project is set to accomplish.
The silk industry in Uganda can be set to a different level with enough funding of all the innovations that are coming with it.
Hon Elioda says that little has been put in in terms of funding as the budgets are inadequate, given the capacity that has to be built of this industry and all other innovations or research in the country.
With the right moves and investments, silk can move Uganda to a better economic stand through sustainable transfer technologies that will contribute to increased economic growth by improved household incomes, as a result of creation employment opportunities for citizens.
Story by Mercy Scarlet Kigai, P.R.O TRIDI
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