President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today inaugurated Phase IV Level 2 of the Ultra-Modern Rolling Mill Complex at Roofings Group in Namanve, Mukono District, commending the company for its contribution to Uganda’s industrialisation, local value addition and the development of a self-sustaining economy.
The President said Uganda’s industrialisation journey must be understood in the context of Africa’s history, noting that colonialism disrupted indigenous African artisanship and left the continent largely dependent on the export of unprocessed raw materials.
President Museveni recalled that when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) came to power in 1986, it outlined its economic vision through the Ten-Point Programme, including the full monetisation of the economy and the development of an independent, integrated and self-sustaining economy.
He said regional integration was also identified as critical to creating a large and reliable market for Ugandan producers.
“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,” the President said.
President Museveni congratulated Roofings Group Chairman, Dr. Sikander Lalani, for his contribution to Uganda’s industrial transformation and for investing in local value addition.
He noted that Roofings initially imported intermediate products from Japan and added value to them in Uganda, with the company achieving about 54 percent local value addition.
The President said the company was now moving to the next level by producing some of the intermediate products locally instead of importing them.
He observed that Uganda has abundant iron ore resources, including high-grade iron ore with purity of about 65 percent, providing an opportunity for the country to develop a competitive steel industry.
President Museveni commended Dr. Lalani for making strategic investment decisions, noting that Roofings had grown its turnover to about Shs1.2 trillion and exports to approximately US $70 million.
The President further said Uganda’s development should be anchored on the belief in global affluence, noting that countries such as China and India have made significant progress in reducing poverty, while Africa is increasingly beginning to realise its economic potential.
He said Roofings demonstrates the importance of international cooperation, with the company sourcing technology and products from countries such as Italy and Japan, while Chinese companies have participated in the construction of the plant.
“This is how you link all of them—the Italians, Japanese and Chinese. Cooperation is the way to go,” President Museveni said.
The President said the investment is not only expanding Uganda’s industrial capacity but is also creating employment opportunities for Ugandans and supporting the country’s transition towards a middle-income economy.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Sanjay Tanna, congratulated Roofings Group for its long journey and described the Namanve plant as a resounding vote of confidence in the NRM Government and President Museveni.
He said the peace and stability established under the NRM Government had created an environment that has enabled investors to establish and expand factories in Uganda.
Hon. Tanna also commended President Museveni for reducing the cost of electricity for manufacturers, noting that Uganda’s industrial power tariffs are among the most competitive in the region.
He said the reduction in electricity costs has helped create a more favourable environment for industrial investment and expansion.
Dr. Lalani thanked President Museveni for honouring the invitation to inaugurate the facility, saying his presence meant a great deal to Roofings Group.
He said the company’s growth has been closely linked to Uganda’s peace and security and thanked the President for consistently championing industrialisation.
“Thank you for the peace and security, for which, if it wasn’t for peace, Roofings would not succeed,” Dr. Lalani said.
He also commended the Uganda Investment Authority and other Government agencies for the support extended to the company in its expansion and investment activities.
Dr. Lalani stressed the importance of stable electricity and improved railway infrastructure to support industrial production and transportation.
He thanked President Museveni for reducing electricity tariffs for factories, saying the measure had given manufacturers “a breathing space” and improved the operating environment.
He pledged that Roofings Group would continue working with the President and relevant Government agencies to strengthen Uganda’s steel industry and provide quality iron sheets to the Ugandan market.
Roofings Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Market:
Roofings Group Director, Mr. Oliver Lalani said the company is thriving partly because of Uganda’s strong economic fundamentals and growing market.
He noted that the East African region, with its growing population and expanding economy, presents significant opportunities for the steel industry.
However, he said more work remains to improve the quality of steel available on the market, particularly as the region’s middle class expands and demand for quality construction materials increases.
Mr. Oliver also thanked President Museveni for championing Uganda’s economic transformation and the country’s journey towards middle-income status.
He also commended the President for promoting East African integration, saying regional integration provides an important avenue for expanding markets and strengthening industrial production.
He reaffirmed Roofings Group’s commitment to working with the government to transform Uganda’s steel industry.
Meanwhile, the new rolling mill is part of a wider modern industrial complex comprising a cold rolling mill, edge-trimming line, galvanising line and colour-coating line.
The cold rolling mill is a four-high mill designed to undertake further processing of steel, enabling the company to produce higher-value products locally.
The new facility represents another step in Roofings Group’s efforts to increase local value addition, reduce dependence on imported intermediate products and strengthen Uganda’s manufacturing capacity.
The inauguration was attended by Ministers, other government officials, representatives from the private sector and other invited guests.
The investment adds to Uganda’s growing industrial base and reflects the government’s efforts to promote local manufacturing, value addition, job creation and the development of a self-sustaining economy.
