Maize Suppliers Protest Over Payment Delays
More than 50 produce dealers have protested at the premises of PRO Industries Pte Limited in Luwero District over delayed payments for their maize amounting to more than Shs2.6 billion.
The dealers pitched camp at the premises of PRO Industries Pte Limited in Ndibulungi Village and stripped off their shirts after repeated promises by the company to clear their outstanding payments failed to materialise.
PRO Industries Pte, an Indian-owned company, operates an ethanol and extra-neutral alcohol manufacturing plant in Luwero District. The company buys maize from produce traders across the country for the production of alcohol for export.
PRO Industries Pte, an Indian-owned company, operates an ethanol and extra-neutral alcohol manufacturing plant in Luwero District. The company buys maize from produce traders across the country for the production of alcohol for export.
Through Lim Well General Stores, Afri Port General Supplies and Agro Dynamics General Stores, the traders supplied the company with more than 3,000 tonnes of maize two months ago but say they have demanded payment in vain.
Isma Mubiru, the Director of Lim Well General Stores, said he mobilized traders from Luwero and other parts of the country after securing a supply contract with PRO Industries.
Isma Mubiru, the Director of Lim Well General Stores, said he mobilized traders from Luwero and other parts of the country after securing a supply contract with PRO Industries.
Mubiru said the traders sourced maize from about 3,500 farmers in Luwero and Gulu districts, many of whom are also yet to receive payment.
Mubiru said that the banks are also demanding 700 million Shillings after advancing loans to the traders to supply the maize on recommendation of the company. He said the traders have resolved to camp at the company premises until their money is paid.
Some traders said they were under pressure from banks after borrowing money to purchase maize from farmers for delivery to the company.
Some traders said they were under pressure from banks after borrowing money to purchase maize from farmers for delivery to the company.
Jamadah Lubega, one of the affected traders, said he is demanding more than shillings 130 million from PRO Industries and that repeated efforts to recover the money have failed. Lubega said he is choking on loans and soon his property may be impounded over non-payment.
Robert Kamaali, another trader, said he is demanding 400 million Shillings from the company, which they were supposed to pay in three days, in vain. Kamaali said another season has started, but he is unable to purchase maize from farmers due to delayed payments from the company.
The traders parked their trucks at the company entrance, blocking vehicles from entering or leaving the premises and paralysing the transportation of the company’s products. PRO Industries staff, led by Raj Geutam, the Human Resource Officer, attempted to persuade the traders to call off the demonstration, promising that their payments would be made.
The traders, however, rejected the request and instead removed their shirts in protest. The traders maintained that they would only unblock the company gates after receiving their outstanding payments.
Robert Kamaali, another trader, said he is demanding 400 million Shillings from the company, which they were supposed to pay in three days, in vain. Kamaali said another season has started, but he is unable to purchase maize from farmers due to delayed payments from the company.
The traders parked their trucks at the company entrance, blocking vehicles from entering or leaving the premises and paralysing the transportation of the company’s products. PRO Industries staff, led by Raj Geutam, the Human Resource Officer, attempted to persuade the traders to call off the demonstration, promising that their payments would be made.
The traders, however, rejected the request and instead removed their shirts in protest. The traders maintained that they would only unblock the company gates after receiving their outstanding payments.
The demonstration prompted Luwero Deputy Resident District Commissioner Abel Bekunda and District Police Commander Brighton Ahimbisibwe to rush to the scene to calm the traders.
Bekunda persuaded the traders to agree to a meeting with the company’s managers to seek a resolution to the dispute. In the meeting, the company allegedly offered cash of 200 million Shillings to the traders as they process balances next week, but the traders rejected the deal.
Bekunda later told the media that the company had agreed to reconcile their accounts on Monday and pay the debt before they unblocked the entrance. PRO Industries has been in the limelight over other crimes. In March this year, the Makindye Standards, Wildlife and Utilities Court fined PRO Industries Pte Limited Shs75 million for polluting a wetland near their plant.
Bekunda persuaded the traders to agree to a meeting with the company’s managers to seek a resolution to the dispute. In the meeting, the company allegedly offered cash of 200 million Shillings to the traders as they process balances next week, but the traders rejected the deal.
Bekunda later told the media that the company had agreed to reconcile their accounts on Monday and pay the debt before they unblocked the entrance. PRO Industries has been in the limelight over other crimes. In March this year, the Makindye Standards, Wildlife and Utilities Court fined PRO Industries Pte Limited Shs75 million for polluting a wetland near their plant.
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Maize Suppliers Protest Over Payment Delays
More than 50 produce dealers have protested at the premises of PRO Industries Pte Limited in Luwero District over delayed payments for their maize amounting to more than Shs2.6 billion.
