“Lungilicious is based in South Africa. We are the manufacturers of Hibiscus Juice and are looking for a Supplier.

We have someone who will be in Uganda, could we arrange for the person to bring back Dried Hibiscus, about 25 kilograms, so that we can taste to ascertain the quality and taste of your products.”

Inquiry via CPAR Uganda website on 13th December 2023.

According to Google Reviews, Lungilicious specializes in producing “plant-based juices and syrups that are made from indigenous plants and herbs; drinks created to nourish, energize, and inspire a healthy and active lifestyle.”

In 2016, in partnership with my Alinga Farms, CPAR Uganda initiated a project to promote the production of Hibiscus Sabdariffa and its consumption in Lango Sub-Region. We intended the Alinga Farms Hibiscus Value Chain to be a source of income generation for smallholder farmers of Lango Sub-Region.

The epicentre for this project was the CPAR Uganda Learning Centre located in Akaidebe Village in Loro Town Council in Oyam District. Indeed:

“During the last planting season for 2016, through a highly participatory process that was endorsed by elders of Loro Sub-County, CPAR Uganda donated start-up Hibiscus Sabdarrifa seeds to 43 pioneer smallholder farmers. 

Despite adverse weather conditions, 11 of them took the risk and planted. In early 2017 these farmers reported that from their harvest they sold a total of 140 kilograms of dried calyces of hibiscus fruit at Ushs. 4,000 per kilogram and so together they made a total of Ushs. 560,000.

Our pioneer farmers not only harvested the fruit, but as we had taught them how to do seed selection and preservation, they also harvested and preserved seed for the next season. They reported having enough seed for them to replant and also to distribute to others – sell or donate freely.

The local market price for a kilogram of hibiscus seed in Oyam in 2017 was reported to be Ushs. 5,000.”

Read more about the Hibiscus Value Chain in Partnership with Alinga Farms

On average, currently, in 2013, a kilogram of dried calyces of Hibiscus fruit can fetch a supplier Ushs. 15,000. And so, for the request of a sample of 25 kilograms from Lunglicious a supplier can make Ushs. 375,000.

When Lungilicious eventually awards the tender, it will likely be for hundreds, perhaps even thousands of kilograms of Hibiscus per month. Giving smallholder farmers and suppliers an opportunity to make millions or even billions of shillings.

Yes, I have already alerted my Personal Assistant to reach out to our Alinga Farms associate farmers. We intend to take the meeting with Lunglicious and to bid for the tender to become their suppliers.

As for our CPAR Uganda beneficiary farmers of Loro Sub-County, however, the work of CPAR Uganda in Loro Sub-County is interrupted and frustrated.

“While she was the Oyam Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Akullu Gillian Omara, colluded with Ogwang Robert Charles (while he was Oyam Deputy Chief Administrative Officer), Ekwaro Robert – Chairman LC III Loro Sub-County and Ogo Denis (while he was Loro Sub-County Chief), to grab from CPAR Uganda our Learning Centre at Akaidebe.

Apparently, a major reason why so, was in order for the said public servants and politicians still, to collude with the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL) to divert and pocket compensation in millions due to CPAR Uganda for the Karuma power line.”

Read more in “Press Release – RDC Implicated in Landgrab in Oyam District in Connivance with Uganda Electricity Transmission Company”

If our pioneer Hibiscus farmers in Loro Sub-County continue producing, we don’t know. We certainly hope so. But we appreciate that they are likely not doing so because of RDC Akullo’s illegal actions and derogatory words against the project and against CPAR Uganda.

CALL TO ACTION

Share this post with your wider networks and help bring to the attention of Colonel Edith Nakalema, the State House Investors Protection Unit; and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit the plight of CPAR Uganda in Loro Sub-County in Oyam.

CPAR Uganda wishes to take back possession of its Learning Centre, so as to continue with its mission to train and mentor young people in Oyam into innovators against poverty. We cannot do so on our own, for it is costly.

We need the help of the Investors Protection Unit and of the Anti-Corruption Unit, to bring the erring politicians and public servants to book and to enable CPAR Uganda regain its full ownership and operational rights.

Thank you for your help.