President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged government support to Terra Industrial Development Company following the establishment of an iron ore processing factory in Rwenanura, Ntungamo District, in a move expected to strengthen Uganda’s industrialization agenda and promote value addition in the mining sector.
The commitment was made on Tuesday during a meeting at the State Lodge in Nakasero, where the President met officials from Terra Industrial Development Company led by Managing Director Kong Dong Sheng.
The company has established what officials described as Uganda’s first pig iron processing factory capable of producing pig iron with a purity level of 93 percent, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to process mineral resources locally rather than export raw materials.
During the meeting, President Museveni reiterated the government’s commitment to value addition, emphasizing that Uganda is determined to stop the export of unprocessed minerals in order to create jobs, expand industries, and increase national revenue.
“I will support you. Remember, we banned the export of unprocessed minerals,” President Museveni said.
The investors, however, raised several infrastructure challenges affecting operations at the state-of-the-art plant.
Among the key concerns was the need for a stable and reliable electricity supply to power heavy industrial machinery.
They also appealed for the upgrading of a 4.2-kilometre road linking the Ntungamo–Mirama Hills road to the Kabale–Ntungamo highway.
Particular concern was raised about the condition of Kategure Bridge, which they said requires urgent rehabilitation to facilitate the smooth transportation of machinery, raw materials, and finished products.
President Museveni assured the investors that the government, through relevant ministries and agencies, would address the bottlenecks to support production and investment expansion.
The President also welcomed the investors’ involvement in Uganda’s health manufacturing sector through Sino-Africa Medical Devices, a company linked to the same investment group that produces World Health Organization-prequalified long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets used in malaria prevention.
President Museveni further pledged that the government would consider allocating funds to begin procuring mosquito nets locally from the company, a move aimed at boosting local manufacturing and reducing dependence on imported medical supplies.
The meeting was attended by Hajjat Amina Mukalazi, head of the State House Local Content Unit, which promotes local investment partnerships.
