The government has commissioned the construction of a $200 million cement grinding station in Njeru, Buikwe District.
The 50-acre facility, with an annual production capacity of 3 million tons, was officially launched in a ceremony attended by several high-profile government officials.
Among them were Hon. Peter Lokeris, Minister of State for Karamoja, Hon. Balam Barugahara, Minister of State for Youth, and Hon. Diana Mutasingwa, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President and Member of Parliament for Buikwe District.
This project marks the second major investment by West International Holding (WIH), a consortium of Chinese and Ugandan investors, following the recent commissioning of another cement plant in Moroto. The Buikwe facility is expected to create over 1,500 direct and indirect jobs, driving economic growth and supporting social and economic transformation in the region.
The local economy in Buikwe is set for significant growth, with the plant’s construction employing a large number of local workers in the short term. In the long run, many Ugandans are expected to benefit from the economic opportunities generated by the cement industry.
Hon. Lokeris praised WIH, represented by Group President Wang Fayin, for their continued investment in Uganda and their commitment to value addition. He commended the Ugandan government for fostering a favorable investment climate.
Hon. Diana Mutasingwa expressed her gratitude to WIH for choosing Buikwe as the site for their latest investment. “Our people need jobs, and our youth are committed to development. This project will greatly impact our community,” she said. She encouraged the local community to embrace the opportunities the plant would bring and urged them to protect and contribute to the success of the investment.
Hon. Balam Barugahara emphasized the importance of embracing investment, development, and hard work. He highlighted the NRM government’s focus on promoting the manufacturing sector as a key driver of employment and economic growth. He also noted that the interaction between Ugandans and Chinese investors would facilitate valuable knowledge and technology transfer, benefitting the country’s youth.
WIH President Wang Fayin praised Uganda’s investment environment and highlighted the project’s significant contributions, including the annual production of 3 million tons of cement and the creation of numerous jobs. He projected that the construction, expected to be completed in 12 months, would reduce Uganda’s dependence on imported raw materials and generate an estimated $400 million in annual operating income.
Ambrose Byona, a director at WIH Uganda, committed to reducing cement prices to make building materials more affordable for Ugandans, supporting the country’s development goals.
Local leaders also voiced their support for the plant, urging the management to prioritize local employment and lauding the groundbreaking as a sign of growing investor confidence under President Museveni’s leadership.
The Buikwe grinding station is expected to significantly boost productivity and reduce costs, passing on benefits to consumers in the form of lower prices and job creation. With Uganda currently importing $380 million worth of clinker annually, the new plants in Moroto and Buikwe will help the country save on these expenses.
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