State Minister of Finance (General Duties) Honorable Henry Musasizi has announced that an investor to establish an iron ore factory in Rubanda District has been identified, as Government moves to add value to the abundant iron ore deposits in the Kigezi Sub-region.
Speaking on Saturday at the giveaway ceremony of Ms. Joan Kemigisha in Hamurwa Town Council, Minister Musasizi, who also serves as Rubanda East MP and NRM Chairman for Rubanda District, revealed that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had called him earlier that morning, instructing him to receive and guide the investor who will soon visit Rubanda to inspect land for the proposed factory.
According to Musasizi, the investor is Dr. Narendra Raval, popularly known as “Guru,” a Kenyan industrialist behind the Devki Group.
The development follows President Museveni’s rally at Kabirizi Playground in Rubanda Town Council on November 24, 2025, where, as the NRM Presidential Candidate, he tasked leaders in Rubanda District to urgently secure 150 acres of land for an industrial hub that would create employment opportunities for Ugandans.
The President underscored that the planned industrial hub for the Kigezi Sub-region is a key pillar in the country’s industrialisation and job-creation agenda.
His directive came after Musasizi requested that Government considers establishing an iron ore-based industrial project in Kigezi. He noted that despite Rubanda’s rich iron ore deposits, the district lacks an industrial park to add value to its minerals and create jobs.
Musasizi also referred to the recent commissioning of the USD 500 million Devki Mega Steel Plant in Tororo District, expressing hope that Rubanda would benefit from similar investments.
He reminded the President that during the Tororo event, Museveni had emphasized giving employment priority to Rubanda, where much of the iron ore is mined.
In his response at the time, President Museveni revealed that he had already reached an agreement with Dr. Raval to establish another major iron ore project in Kabale, projected to create more than 16,000 jobs and boost industrial opportunities across the country.
During the rally, Musasizi initially informed the President that the district could only readily provide 52 acres of land. However, Museveni insisted that the project required a much larger area.
Speaking during the Press Conference for journalists from the Kigezi Sub-region at President Museveni’s State Lodge in Irenga, Ntungamo District, on November 26, 2025, Musasizi reported that after further consultations, leaders had identified 600 acres of land in Rubanda for the establishment of the iron ore factory.
He explained that the land, currently under the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), is idle and suitable for the project.
“Your Excellency, there are up to 600 acres of land available in Rubanda. We have established that the land belonging to NARO is now idle, so if you find it okay, we could plan to put the factory there,” Musasizi told the President.
CUE IN MINISTER MUSASIZI…..ON THE DEVELOPMENT……RR//
