President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Saturday commissioned Uganda’s first-ever railway concrete sleeper factory in Kawolo, Lugazi, Buikwe district.

The President applauded the proprietors of the factory, Imathia Construction, a Spanish firm. He said the company, through their Chairman, Julian Garcia Velverde, has helped Uganda achieve part of its vision of building an economy which is integrated, independent and self-sustaining.

He said Uganda’s railway system needs things like sleepers and rails. “Now, if they are all not made here what does it mean? It means that you must buy them from outside and if you buy them from outside, transport alone is too high, what will happen?” he questioned. 

The President revealed that the government is in the final stages of developing Uganda’s steel industry, an attribute that will help the country to start manufacturing rails, also used in the construction of railway lines. 

“We also need the rails themselves for the Standard Gauge Railway. We may not do it immediately because the rails need very good steel but we shall also work on it because we are developing our steel industry in Kabale. 

We shall be able to produce that type of steel that is needed by the railway system, not only here in Uganda but also in other parts of East Africa.”

The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala said it wouldn’t have been possible for Imathia Construction and those other investors to construct this factory if Uganda was not a very good destination for foreign direct investment. 

The chairman of Imathia Construction, Julian Garcia Velverde, commended the President, the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Board and Management of Uganda Railways Corporation for the wonderful hospitality and support they have given to them since deciding to invest in Uganda.

“As you have seen during your tour of the plant Sir, this concrete plant has a 90% local staff component. The young Ugandan men and women have learnt how to operate this plant and I am in no doubt that one day we shall be 100% Ugandan Operated,” he said.

 Garcia further informed the President that concrete sleepers are the most suitable technology in modern railways for meter gauge and also the SGR railway option that is on the country’s transformational agenda.

“The concrete sleepers increase safety, comfort, speed as well as decrease the maintenance cost of the track and there’s less vandalism associated costs.”

 Garcia also noted that Imathia was contracted to renovate the Kampala- Mukono line and he assured the President that they are working within schedule to complete the project.

The factory whose workforce is over 90 percent made of Ugandans, has a daily production of 208 concrete sleepers of meter gauge sleepers for the Refurbishment Kampala-Namanve-Mukono.