Uganda has secured 9,450 acres of land in Katikekile, Moroto District for the country’s first clinker factory. This is aimed at Uganda's push for industrial self-reliance.
The lease agreement, signed between the government and the Natia-A-Tepth Communal Land Association, paves the way for the establishment of the factory by Tororo Cement Ltd. The government also purchased an additional 500 acres for the plant's construction under freehold tenure.
The signing ceremony, held in Moroto on May 3, was presided over by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanjaw who was represented by Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Judith Nabakooba. It was witnessed by top government officials.
The deal follows a 2023 appeal by President Yoweri Museveni to the late chairman of Tororo Cement, Hasmukhbhai Patel, to invest in clinker production and reduce Uganda’s dependency on imports.
Nabakooba said the land acquisition process was fast-tracked following a directive from the Prime Minister in February 2024. “We conducted extensive consultations with stakeholders and the local community to ensure transparency and fairness,” Nabakooba said.
The Ministry of Lands surveyed, demarcated, converted, and titled the land—at no cost to the community. Cabinet approved the transaction, and the Ministry of Finance cleared the payment structure. An initial UGX 2 billion has already been secured, with the rest budgeted for the next financial year.
The Uganda Investment Authority will hold the lease titles on behalf of the government, while freehold titles will remain with the Natia-A-Tepth Communal Land Association.
Nabakooba stressed the importance of a Community Development Agreement to protect local interests. “We expect the investor to engage fairly with the community, create jobs, protect the environment, and provide business opportunities for locals,” she said.
The minister also handed over freehold land titles for Kosiroi Primary School and Kosiroi Health Centre. Additional land titles were presented to the Prime Minister for official transfer to the communal land association.
She thanked all parties involved in the land transaction, including President Museveni, the First Lady and former Karamoja Minister Janet Museveni, the Office of the Attorney General, Moroto District leadership, and technical staff from the Ministry of Lands.
