President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned an ultra-modern rolling mill complex at Roofings Group in Namanve Industrial Park, Mukono District.
The new facility marks Phase IV Level 2 of the company’s expansion drive.
The multi-billion plant boosts domestic steel processing and accelerates Uganda’s shift toward industrial self-reliance.
President Museveni commended the steel manufacturer for advancing local value addition and expanding employment opportunities.
Uganda holds vast reserves of high-grade iron ore with purity levels reaching 65 percent.
The President noted that producing intermediate steel products locally allows the nation to tap its natural resources effectively.
He linked this industrial progress to the economic blueprint established under the Ten-Point Programme in 1986.
Regional trade access remains vital for local manufacturing growth.
“A strong market makes it easy for wealth creators to succeed. All they want is a market, and by having a big and sure market, we will create jobs and wealth,” President Museveni said.
He praised international technical partnerships that made the complex possible.
The plant incorporates advanced technology from Italy and Japan, while Chinese contractors executed the facility’s construction.
“This is how you link all of them, the Italians, Japanese and Chinese. Cooperation is the way to go,” the President added.
Roofings Group now generates approximately Shs1.2 trillion in annual turnover and exports US $70 million worth of products.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Sanjay Tanna, described the expansion as a major vote of investor confidence in the country.
He credited ongoing political stability and reduced industrial electricity tariffs for lowering production costs across the manufacturing sector.
Roofings Group Chairman, Dr. Sikander Lalani, praised the government for fostering a safe business climate and providing infrastructural support.
“Thank you for the peace and security, for which, if it wasn’t for peace, Roofings would not succeed,” Dr. Lalani said.
Dr. Lalani noted that affordable power rates have granted manufacturers essential operational relief.
Roofings Group Director, Mr. Oliver Lalani, highlighted rising regional demand across East Africa for durable building materials.
He stated that the company will continue upgrading product standards to meet expanding regional construction needs.
The newly commissioned complex features a four-high cold rolling mill, an edge-trimming line, a galvanising line, and a colour-coating line.
These installations will replace imported intermediate steel with locally processed, high-grade steel products.
