Potato processing in Kisoro The southwest corner of Uganda, more in particular Kabale and Kisoro district, is the largest production area for potatoes in the country. Due to its conducive climate, up to three harvests can be reached each year. Although the production levels are increasing annually, the marketing of potatoes is still a problem, leaving many farmers with low prices for their products.The partners, Mugenga Holdings in Kenya and Maina Speedy in Uganda, established a new joint venture for the processing of locally grown potatoes into French fries for the Uganda and Rwanda market.As neither Mugenga Holdings Ltd., nor Maina Speedy Uganda Ltd. is experienced in food processing or production of potatoes in general, the project hired the services of a food processing expert and from potato processing and storage experts. Furthermore, the partners teamed up with already existing initiatives by local research institutes and NGOs, that focus on farmer associations and the related agronomic training, in order to make full use of the knowledge and expertise already available within the product chain.The project contributes to the professionalization of the potato chain in Uganda. By introducing locally produced French fries, the chips comes within reach for a larger consumer group which in turn will assure a more steady and stable market outlet for farmers.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The project plan itself already comes from a socially responsible perspective Mugenga Holdings. Apart from aiming to establish a profitable business, Mr Mugenga intends to involve the local community as much as possible. He will be paying fair prices to the farmers, and he will provide a safe and healthy working environment for the employees in the factory. The production process will become HACCP and ISO 9000 certified. The company will also implement a waste management policy aimed at minimising the negative impact on the environment.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe project employs 34 people, of which 18 are basic-skilled labourers and 16 medium to high.The company pay salaries of at least 20% above the local minimum wage. Employees receive free lunch during working hours, and health insurance are be co-financed for all employees. In order to provide a safe and healthy working environment, the company provides all employees with the necessary protective clothing like boots, overalls and jackets.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeProfessional and industrial potato processing is totally new to the country. The related expertise has been introduced to the country through this project.•	Chain effectsThe project has not yet provided the expected incentive to local potato growers- Storage: at the time of construction storage was not included in the proposal. It is necessary to buy all the potatoes needed for a half year production right after harvest when the prices are still low. Buying in between harvest seasons would causes too many fluctuations in price and quality.- Local production: the potatoes currently produced by local farmers are not suitable for chips. And as long as there is no storage, they cannot advise the farmers to switch to the suitable potato as they will not be able to buy all that the farmers produce and for the farmers there is no alternative buyer in the region. The joint venture is now buying potatoes from other countries which seems very contradictory in a potato area. But the factory needs a smaller volume to be in operational. After solving the storage issue, the local supply is expected to take up steadily.•	EnvironmentThe partners restrict the production of waste as much as possible.•	Position of women13 out of 34 employees are female. To establish a modern, HACCP and ISO 9000 certified potato processing factory in Kisoro, with a capacity of producing 500 kg of French fries per hour for the local Uganda and Rwanda markets.