By Spy Uganda
Operations at PRO Industries Limited in Butuntumula Sub-county, Luweero District, were brought to a standstill on Thursday after dozens of maize traders blocked the company’s main entrance, demanding payment of more than Shs2.6 billion for maize supplied to the processing plant.
The traders parked their trucks at the factory entrance, preventing vehicles from entering or leaving the premises for several hours as they pressed the company to clear their outstanding payments.
The suppliers say they have delivered approximately 3,000 tonnes of maize to PRO Industries since March but have not received full payment for their produce.
The standoff has raised concerns among maize traders who depend on timely payments to maintain their businesses and continue purchasing produce from farmers.
Mr Ismah Mubiru, director of Limewell General Stores, one of the companies supplying PRO Industries, said the parties had an agreement requiring payments to be made promptly once a Local Purchase Order (LPO) was issued.
According to Mubiru, the failure to honour the agreed payment arrangements has left suppliers struggling to meet their financial obligations.
The traders’ protest effectively paralysed activities at the facility as they demanded that PRO Industries address the payment dispute and settle the money owed to them.
The development comes amid growing concerns among agricultural suppliers over delayed payments, which can disrupt the movement of produce and put significant financial pressure on traders who often purchase maize from farmers using borrowed or working capital.
The suppliers are now calling for an urgent resolution to the dispute to enable them to recover their money and resume normal business operations.
