A new state-of-the-art Phase IV ultra-modern cold rolling mill complex steel plant was on Tuesday inaugurated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Roofings Group Uganda factory in Namanve. The President was accompanied by Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Minister Sanjay Tanna and other Cabinet members.

President Museveni commended the Chairman of Roofings Group Uganda, Dr Sikandar Lalani, and the entire Roofings Group establishment for their contribution to Uganda’s industrialisation agenda through import substitution and value-addition. Mr Museveni added that Roofings Group currently has a turnover of Shs1.2 trillion and employs more than 2,000 Ugandans.

Roofings Group is the current market leader in the manufacture of Steel and Plastic construction materials in Uganda with influence across East and Central Africa.

The President pledged to continue talking to his counterparts in the East African Community (EAC) to remove barriers hindering East Africans from freely trading and doing business within the region.

Delivering a speech, Mr Tanna said: “The world’s top technology has been transferred to Uganda. The commissioning of the state-of-the-art steel expansion facility by Roofings Group Uganda stands as a resounding vote of confidence in Uganda’s economic policies, peace, stability and an enabling business environment.”

The state-of-the-art facility worth $125 million features level 2 automation of advanced steel manufacturing, with an annual production of 300,000 metric tonnes. It includes machinery for cold rolling, galvanising and colour coating. The Phase IV ultra-modern cold rolling mill complex steel plant will produce high-quality steel products designed to last for decades and serve the entire African market.

The launch of the new factory is a big milestone for Uganda’s industrialisation trajectory. Roofings Group has the capacity to produce 4.2 million iron sheets every month and more than 50 million sheets a year. Local steel investment drives import substitution and creates vital employment.