Museveni Inaugurates $125 Million Roofings Steel Plant in Namanve

President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday commissioned a state-of-the-art Cold Rolling Mill Complex Phase IV at Roofings Group, a significant player in Uganda’s steel industry. Located in Namanve Industrial Park, Wakiso District, the new facility represents a substantial investment of $125 million (approximately Shs466 billion).

The ultra-modern complex houses a cold rolling mill, edge-trimming line, galvanising line, and a colour-coating line. This expansion aims to bolster domestic steel production for both local consumption and export markets, thereby diminishing the need for imported intermediate steel products, particularly from Asia.

During the inauguration, President Museveni emphasized the importance of a robust market for supporting wealth creators. He highlighted that this investment fosters crucial market linkages between Europe, specifically Italy, and Asia, like Japan. He lauded the venture as a vital step in Uganda’s industrialization drive, aligning with the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) long-term economic vision.

The President noted that the investment enhances local value addition, generates employment, and curtails dependence on imported goods. He pointed out Uganda’s rich iron ore reserves as a key resource that should be leveraged to build a competitive steel sector.

Roofings Group’s management described this expansion as the most significant in their over three decades of operation, reaffirming their dedication to Uganda’s industrial future. Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. Sikander Lalani, acknowledged the support from government bodies, including the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), in facilitating this growth.

Further indicating a move towards raw material processing, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. Monica Musenero, revealed directives to the UIA to secure land for Roofings to establish a factory for processing iron ore into high-grade finished products. The company’s CEO, Arif Sheikh, confirmed that Roofings has obtained an exploration license and is eyeing iron ore resources in Mukono, with land allocated in Moroto for clinker production.