On 21st September 2024, Busitema University launched the BANATEX EA Project, which stands for Sustainable textile through up scaling and commercialization of Banana Fibre value addition in East Africa. The project aims at bridging the gap between global fibre demand and supply through prompting a sustainable transition into alternative fibres strengthening Uganda’s textile industry by extracting more banana fibre for transformation into textile on a large scale. The initiative offers a unique solidarity to build capacity for sustainable fashion and products using banana fibre. As a major global banana producer, Uganda is well placed to contribute to the supply of natural fibres through extraction and preparation of the fibres from waste banana stalks to spinnable stable form. This initiative exemplifies circularity and resource optimization by converting agricultural waste into high-value products reducing environmental impacts associated with traditional waste disposal practices and promoting a closed-loop system.  

The ceremony drew a gathering of distinguished guests including Hon. Godfrey .B. Kabyanga the State minister for ICT and National guidance, Professor Paul Waako, Vice Chancellor of Busitema University, Professor Pakoyo Kamba, Deputy Vice Chancellor  (Finance and Administration) and Dr. Edwin Kamala, Principal Investigator for the Banatex project. More still, the notable partners in attendance who also serve as the steering  wheel to this project include  Professor Josephat Igadwa Mwasiagi from Moi University, Professor Nawab Yasirof from National Textile University in Pakistan, Mr. Kimani Muthuri CEO of Texfad Ltd, Mr. Tumusiime  from Busitema University, Dr. Fredrick Nzioka from Technical University of Kenya, Mr. Leroy Smith from Freaking Future, Mr. Levi Kanene Brian from Uganda National Bureau of Standards and Dr. Joseph Bahati from the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development. Their collective presence underscored the project's significance and the collaborative efforts driving its success.

The occasion featured a series of compelling speeches highlighted by presentations from several individuals. To begin with, Hon. Godfrey B. Kabyanga, the State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, expressed his enthusiasm for the BANATEX EA Project, stating that it marks a significant milestone in developing bananas as a cash crop and transforming them into other valuable forms for economic growth. He highlighted the project's potential to tap into the underutilized banana fiber resource in the region, positioning East Africa as a leader in this industry. According to Hon. Kabyanga, the initiative will drive economic development and unlock new opportunities. With great pride, he confirmed the establishment of the project's steering committee and officially launched the BANATEX EA Project. 

 Prof. Paul Waako also emphasized that the launch of the BANATEX EA Project was not only a landmark achievement for Busitema University but also a confirmation that the country was moving towards economic independence with the transformation of the banana fibre into textile. He also applauded Dr. Edwin Kamalha and all his team members for the hard work exhibited in winning the grant. Additionally, he also thanked TEXFAD, MOI University, the Presidential Initiative on Banana Development, National Textile University, Pakistan, Uganda National Bureau of Standards and Freaking Future for supporting different phases of the BANATEX EA Project.

Beaming with pride, Dr. Edwin Kamalha proclaimed that the launch of the project was the birth of a new era in the textile industry. He disclosed that the project team’s aspiration was to have sustainable textiles with environmental advantages from extraction and preparation of fibre from waste banana stalks. The process will be supported by installing of equipment at TEXFAD, supporting research infrastructures in place, standardisation through the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, curriculum development and training farmers on fibre extraction.