The Parliamentary Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation has called for increased government funding for research, innovation and value addition in Uganda’s banana industry, saying the sector has significant potential to drive industrialisation and reduce dependence on imported wheat.

The committee made the call on Monday during an inspection of the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) project in Bushenyi District.

The Member of Parliament for Kashari North Constituency in Mbarara District, Hon Patrick Musinguzi, commended President Yoweri Museveni for supporting the banana industrialisation initiative, saying the project has transformed the livelihoods of communities in Bushenyi and neighbouring districts.

Musinguzi described PIBID as a major investment in research and development, noting that government has invested about Shs315 billion in the initiative over more than 25 years.

He said the project has developed a range of products from bananas, including flour, porridge, biscuits, bread and cookies, which he said could help reduce Uganda’s reliance on imported wheat and create new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs. “The products we are seeing here demonstrate the potential of Uganda’s banana industry. With proper investment, research and value addition, we can produce more of what we currently import,”  Musinguzi said.

The MP, however, urged the government to strengthen measures against corruption, pilferage and wastage of public resources, saying effective management of government projects is critical to achieving meaningful economic transformation.

Andrew Matovu, the Director of Business and Enterprise Development at PIBID, said the initiative is preparing to take Ugandan banana products to international markets, including North America, the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.

Matovu said PIBID has developed market strategies, collected market data and identified potential distributors and other partners to facilitate the export of its products.

He said expanding into international markets would provide a wider market for Ugandan banana products while creating opportunities across the value chain.

The committee also urged Parliament to consider increased funding to enable the completion of the banana value chain, covering production, processing, marketing and consumption.

Hon Ismail Muhammad Lomwa, the MP for Kotido Municipality, said the committee would present its recommendations to Parliament to support the proper allocation of resources towards industrialisation and value addition.

The committee said strengthening initiatives such as PIBID could contribute to food security, job creation and increased incomes for farmers while positioning Ugandan products, including the TOOKE brand, on regional and international markets.