Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has handed over 60 acres of land to DEVKI Steel Mills Limited to pave the way for the start of iron ore mining in Rubanda District.
Speaking to residents of Mufumba Village in Butare-Katojo Town Council, Nabbanja said the investment is expected to stimulate economic development and create new opportunities for communities in the area.
The Prime Minister said the project is in line with President Yoweri Museveni’s call for Uganda to prioritise value addition to minerals and other raw materials before they are exported.
Nabbanja said President Museveni had directed her to facilitate investors interested in exploiting and adding value to Rubanda’s mineral resources as part of efforts to accelerate development in the district.
She also directed the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to review the compensation process for people affected by the project, while ordering that the 30 per cent disturbance allowance be paid immediately.
Executive Chairman of the DEVKI Group of Companies, Dr Narendra Raval, outlined the expected benefits of the investment to Rubanda and the wider Ugandan economy.
Rubanda District LC5 Chairperson Stephen Kasiaba and Senior Presidential Advisor on Security and Intelligence, Col Emmy Katabazi, welcomed the project, saying residents support the investment.
By Friday, 99 of the 161 project-affected persons had received compensation, paving the way for commencement of the mining project.
