President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to industrial growth after pledging government support to a newly established iron ore processing factory in Ntungamo District. The announcement followed a strategic meeting at State Lodge Nakasero with officials from Terra Industrial Development Company headed by Managing Director Mr. Kong Dong Sheng.
The multi-billion industrial project in Rwenanura has introduced what is being described as Uganda’s first advanced pig iron processing plant capable of achieving a 93 percent purity level. The development is expected to transform the country’s mining sector by promoting local processing instead of exporting raw minerals with limited economic returns.
President Museveni used the meeting to reiterate the government’s strong position on value addition, stressing that Uganda can no longer afford to export unprocessed resources while other nations profit from finished products. He noted that supporting local industries is essential for creating employment opportunities, boosting national income, and accelerating economic transformation.
The President assured the investors that the government stands ready to facilitate the factory’s operations and future expansion. According to him, industries that process Uganda’s natural resources within the country are central to the nation’s long-term development strategy and will continue receiving state support.
Despite the project’s promise, company officials highlighted several operational obstacles that require urgent intervention. Among the key concerns raised was the need for a reliable electricity supply to sustain the plant’s heavy industrial equipment and maintain stable production.
The investors also appealed for the rehabilitation of critical transport infrastructure, particularly a 4.2-kilometer road linking the Ntungamo–Mirama Hills road to the Kabale–Ntungamo highway. They emphasized that the poor condition of Kategure Bridge poses a major challenge to the transportation of machinery, raw materials, and finished iron products.
In response, President Museveni directed the responsible ministries and agencies to work toward resolving the infrastructure bottlenecks affecting the factory. He pledged continued cooperation with the investors to ensure the project thrives and contributes significantly to Uganda’s industrialization agenda.
