Kampala — British American Tobacco Uganda (BATU) paid out sh3b to farmers in Rukungiri district in the last tobacco season.

Lawrence Lumbasyo, the area leaf finance manager for East Africa said recently, Rukungiri production rose to 2.4m kilogrammes up from about 2m kilos the previous season.

"It is encouraging that our farmers in Rukungiri, in addition to growing bananas and other crops, take time off to grow tobacco. Some 2.4m kilos of excellent uniform quality is a commendable job," Lunbasyo said.

He said the loan recovery scheme has also been very good at 91%, one percent more than last year.

"This shows that our farmers are hard working and honest. As a result of your excellent work and dedication, the company will pay out another sh20m to the farmers as bonus for a job well done," he said.

Lumbasyo was speaking during a party organized for tobacco farmers from all the growing districts in the country at Riverside Hotel in Rukungiri.

Leaf production in the last season registered significant increases of up to 35,000 metric tonnes leading to the largest leaf shipments ever.

BATU has also invested in health centres and education as part of its social responsibility policy.