The Ugandan government, through the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Investment, has reiterated its commitment to bolstering the manufacturing sector.
This support, which is aimed at fostering business expansion, is seen as a key strategy in reducing the country’s unemployment rate.
During a recent visit to Roofings Limited in Namanve, Finance Minister Hon. Matia Kasaija expressed his admiration for the company’s dedication to value addition and job creation.
This was Kasaija’s first tour of the facility, where he witnessed firsthand the significant contributions of Roofings Limited to Uganda’s industrial growth. He lauded Dr. Sikander Lalani, the Chairman of Roofings Group of Companies, for his visionary leadership and focus on expanding the company’s operations, which, in turn, has provided employment opportunities for many Ugandans.
Hon. Kasaija was accompanied by State Minister for Investment Evelyn Anite and officials from the Ministry of Energy. The delegation also inspected Roofings’ new production line, a recent addition designed to enhance the company’s production capacity.
This expansion is expected to meet the growing demand for roofing materials both domestically and regionally.
State Minister Evelyn Anite emphasized that the visit was also aimed at assessing the company’s energy consumption. This assessment is crucial as the government considers implementing President Museveni’s directive to provide electricity to industrialists at a subsidized rate of five cents per unit. Anite noted that reducing electricity costs for manufacturers is vital for maintaining Uganda’s competitive edge in the region.
Dr. Sikander Lalani, in his remarks, thanked the government for its unwavering support to the manufacturing sector. He highlighted that the increased demand for Roofings products is not limited to Uganda but extends to neighboring countries, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Kenya. The ability to meet this demand, he noted, is largely due to the government’s favorable policies and continuous support.
As Uganda continues to attract both local and foreign investments, the government’s active involvement in nurturing the manufacturing sector is expected to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and creating more jobs for its citizens.