President Museveni lauds trailblazing industrial giant Mehta Group
President Yoweri Museveni has commended Mehta Group for pioneering the sugar industry in Uganda and also thank them, particularly, Mahendra Mehta and his wife, for not giving up after the disappointment of Idi Amin [expulsion of Asians in 1972.
President Museveni officiated at the centenary (100 years) celebrations of Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd (SCOUL) in Lugazi municipality and he was accompanied by the First Lady Mrs. Janet Museveni.
President Yoweri Museveni has praised the Mehta Group for leading Uganda’s sugar business and thanked Mahendra Mehta and his wife in particular for persevering following Idi Amin’s unhappiness with the deportation of Asians in 1972.
President Museveni made the remarks on Saturday (October 12) as he officiated at the centenary (100 years) celebrations of Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd (SCOUL) in Lugazi municipality.
“Although we were not allowing tourists to come, I had to issue a special permit for Mzee Mehta to come. So, you fellows who like to go to London, Mzee Mehta and myself like staying here.”
The President further revealed that the NRM government’s decision to return properties to the Asians who had been expelled by former President Amin played a crucial role in attracting the Asians to invest more in Uganda.
“I want to thank the Mehtas because right now they are producing sugar, cables, they are also producing 16 megawatts of electricity from biogas, they are producing ethanol, biofertilizers and they are also growing roses.
SCOUL, the first sugar factory in Uganda, was established in 1924 by the late Nanji Kalidas Mehta, the founder of Mehta Group.
“On behalf of Uganda and that of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), I want to thank and congratulate the Mehtas on two counts; number one, the elder Mehta who pioneered the sugar industry in 1924. I thank him and congratulate him,” said Museveni.
“I also congratulate Mzee Mehta who came to Uganda in 1952 after studies and started being engaged in the management of the group. That’s 72 years now, that is a good contribution.
President Museveni revealed that the NRM government’s decision to return properties to the Asians who had been expelled by former President Amin played a crucial role in attracting the Asians to invest more in Uganda.
“I can attest to the loyalty of Mzee Mehta to Uganda. During Corona (COVID-19 pandemic), I got information that Mzee Mehta was stuck in London, but he didn’t want to stay in London during that period.
“Although we were not allowing tourists to come, I had to issue a special permit for Mzee Mehta to come. So, you fellows who like to go to London, Mzee Mehta and myself like staying here.”
The President further revealed that the NRM government’s decision to return properties to the Asians who had been expelled by former President Amin played a crucial role in attracting the Asians to invest more in Uganda.
“I want to thank the Mehtas because right now they are producing sugar, cables, they are also producing 16 megawatts of electricity from biogas, they are producing ethanol, biofertilizers and they are also growing roses.
“In the meantime, as we are still importing petroleum, I now direct that all oil companies blend imported petroleum with the ethanol made by our people here. Secondly, I will also not allow the importation of cables yet they are manufactured here with our raw materials,” said Museveni.
He pledged to support Mehta’s horticulture and floriculture business and thanked the company for its corporate social responsibility in the areas of education and health care.
Museveni was pleased with Mehta Group for taking on his advice of growing their own sugarcane used in sugar production.
