By Diana N Kintu
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged government support to Terra Industrial Development Company following the establishment of Uganda’s first pig iron processing factory in Rwenanura, Ntungamo District.
The development is expected to strengthen Uganda’s industrialisation agenda and enhance value addition within the mining sector by promoting local processing of mineral resources.
The commitment was made during a meeting held at State Lodge Nakasero, where President Museveni met company officials led by the Managing Director, Mr Kong Dong Sheng. The factory is reportedly capable of producing pig iron with a purity level of 93 per cent, marking a significant milestone in Uganda’s efforts to reduce the exportation of raw minerals and promote domestic manufacturing.
President Museveni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to value addition, stressing that Uganda will continue to discourage the export of unprocessed minerals in order to maximise economic benefits from the country’s natural resources.
“I will support you. Remember, we banned the export of unprocessed minerals,” President Museveni said.
Company officials highlighted several infrastructure challenges affecting operations, particularly the need for a reliable electricity supply to run heavy industrial machinery efficiently.
The investors also appealed to the government to upgrade the 4.2-kilometre road connecting the Ntungamo–Mirama Hills Road to the Kabale–Ntungamo Highway. They noted that urgent attention is needed for Kategure Bridge to ease the transportation of machinery, raw materials and finished products.
President Museveni assured the investors that the relevant government ministries and agencies would address the existing bottlenecks to support production and future expansion of the factory.
The President also welcomed the company’s involvement in Uganda’s health manufacturing sector through Sino-Africa Medical Devices, a firm producing World Health Organisation-approved long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
He further pledged that the government would consider procuring mosquito nets locally in a move aimed at supporting domestic manufacturers and reducing dependence on imports.
The meeting was attended by Hajjat Amina Mukalazi, Head of the State House Local Content Unit, which is promoting partnerships that encourage local investment and industrial development. Analysts say the Ntungamo iron ore processing plant represents a major step in Uganda’s industrialisation drive, particularly in advancing job creation, increasing government revenue and promoting technological development. The President’s pledge further demonstrates the government’s commitment to harnessing Uganda’s mineral resources for national development.
