(Ecofin Agency) - Over the next four years, Uganda’s flower sector will receive a $17.8 million investment from three firms, East African Business Week reports. According to the source, the companies concerned here are Wagagai Ltd ($14.1 million), Jambo Roses Ltd ($1.8 million) and Ugarose Flowers ($1.9 million), which all operate in the sector.

Daniel Kiryango, Managing Director of Jambo Roses, said the investment should help boost farmers’ access to modern agricultural inputs and buy lands for greenhouse expansion. "By 2021, we shall be in position to compete with our counterparts in other countries like Kenya and Ethiopia," he said.

Uganda, it should be recalled, exports 8,000 tons of flowers each year mainly to the European Union. According to the Uganda Flowers Exporters Association, this volume could soar to 20,000 tons if more cold rooms are installed at the Entebbe airport and power costs are lowered. The main flowers grown in the sector are roses, chrysanthemums and potted plants.

Espoir Olodo