Uganda’s two-decade grind in zero returns from a ‘Banana Pyramid’

The preparation of Uganda's traditional fried bana 'plantain' is seen in the Ugandan capital Kampala on June 19, 2024. 

Photo credit: Reuters

At the top of the serene Nyaruzinga hill in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, there sits an extensive ‘green gold’ model farm and factory.

This banana value-addition project has received over Ush200 billion ($54 million) in funding from Ugandan taxpayers over the last two decades.