KAMPALA, Uganda – Guided by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mama Janet Museveni’s strong advocacy for preserving the dignity and hygiene of Ugandan girls through access to global-standard sanitary products, South Africa’s VEB Group has committed to prioritising the production of single-use, biodegradable sanitary pads made from locally sourced banana fibres.
The initiative aims to add value to Uganda’s agricultural resources while ensuring that African children receive hygiene products that meet international standards.
The commitment emerged from a successful week-long delegation visit by VEB Group to Uganda from March 1–7, 2026, led by Chief Executive Officer Samuel Abbey Ntswana and coordinated under the Economic Diplomacy (ECD) strategy of the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria.
The visit sought to advance Pan-African partnerships in manufacturing, agro-industrialisation, human capital development, skills training, sustainable solutions, and social impact, with a focus on integrating industrial growth with community benefits.
VEB Group, a diversified African enterprise with over 25 years of experience across agriculture, manufacturing, skills development, ICT, logistics, and legal services, is exploring the establishment of a major operational presence in Uganda, building on its existing training centres and investment models across Southern Africa.
A pivotal meeting with Mama Janet Museveni at State Lodge, Nakasero, focused on potential partnerships between VEB Group and the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES). During the meeting, the First Lady emphasised the importance of maintaining dignity and global standards in menstrual hygiene management, guiding the delegation toward the use of disposable sanitary products.
“The dignity of the girl child is non-negotiable. Our children are as sensitive and as deserving as children anywhere in the world. We must always seek solutions that ensure they receive products of the same standard used elsewhere,” she noted.
Following this guidance, VEB Group announced plans to adapt its eco-friendly hygiene portfolio to produce biodegradable, single-use sanitary pads made from 100% natural banana fibres in Uganda. The initiative aims to promote environmental sustainability, affordability, and reduced plastic pollution while maintaining high hygiene standards.
This innovation aligns with existing Ugandan initiatives such as BanaPads, a local social enterprise that has spent nearly a decade producing low-cost biodegradable sanitary pads from banana agricultural waste. The project has empowered rural women, reduced school absenteeism among girls, and promoted female entrepreneurship in remote communities.
As part of the visit, the delegation—guided by the First Lady’s directive—also held discussions with senior technical officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports’ Human Capital Development sector at Embassy House in Kampala to refine collaboration frameworks.
The delegation further met the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, to explore opportunities for impactful contributions across key sectors. Rt. Hon. Tayebwa welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to support youth empowerment, education access, and rural infrastructure development, particularly in underserved communities.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Paul Amoru, who facilitated the engagement, described the visit as a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. “The High Commission remains committed to identifying, engaging, and attracting foreign direct investment from Southern Africa into Uganda,” Ambassador Amoru said.
The initiative forms part of Uganda’s broader economic diplomacy strategy, which has contributed to improved regional trade balances and growing investor interest, positioning the country as Africa’s “Best Investment Destination” at the 2024 Annual Investment Meeting.
VEB Group’s integrated investment plan in Uganda includes the establishment of agricultural production farms, agro-processing facilities, waste-to-value systems, demonstration farms, and light and heavy manufacturing facilities, including furniture and mattress production.
These investments are expected to create rural employment, strengthen agricultural value chains, improve food security, and enhance export-ready agricultural production. The company also plans to support workforce development through youth- and women-focused training programmes in textile manufacturing, industrial sewing, machinery operation, technical maintenance, product assembly, and quality control.
With an initial investment of US$5 million, meeting Uganda’s foreign direct investment thresholds, VEB Group has also pledged one million disposable sanitary pads and one million biodegradable baby nappies. The first consignment is already en route to Kampala, while subsequent production will be localised using banana fibre sourced from Ugandan farmers.
The project builds on Uganda’s growing innovation in the use of banana agricultural waste. Researchers at institutions such as Busitema University are developing technologies that convert banana stems into sustainable fibres suitable for textiles and hygiene products, creating new economic opportunities while reducing environmental waste.
Ambassador Amoru praised the outcomes of the engagement, noting that such partnerships demonstrate the power of innovative collaboration.
“These partnerships, inspired by the First Lady’s visionary leadership, demonstrate how innovation can uplift communities while preserving dignity and sustainability,” he said.
VEB Group’s manufacturing model—supported by OEKO-TEX® Global Standard 100 certification—ensures adherence to internationally recognised quality and hygiene standards.
By focusing on rural industrialisation, youth employment, and strengthened agricultural supply chains, the partnership contributes to Uganda’s long-term vision for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, while reinforcing expanding trade relations between Uganda and South Africa through bilateral summits and joint economic cooperation initiatives.
