Museveni Inaugurates Uganda’s First Level 2 Automated Steel Mill
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially commissioned Uganda’s first Level 2 automated steel mill, marking a significant milestone in the country’s industrialisation journey.
The $125 million Phase IV Cold Rolling Mill, located at Roofings Group in Namanve, features advanced Level 2 automation supplied by Italy’s Danieli—a global leader in metallurgical technology. The facility has an annual production capacity of 300,000 metric tonnes of high-quality steel coils, destined for both the local market and export to East African neighbours.
A Boost for Local Industry and Employment
During the inauguration ceremony, President Museveni praised Roofings Group Chairman Dr. Sikander Lalani and his team for their commitment to job creation and economic transformation. The new plant currently employs over 2,000 Ugandans, reinforcing the government’s push for sustainable industrial employment.
“When the NRM came to power in 1986, we outlined our economic vision in the Ten-Point Programme, including the development of an independent, integrated economy,” Museveni remarked. He noted that the mill aligns perfectly with that vision by advancing import substitution and reducing Uganda’s dependency on foreign steel products.
Africa’s First Facility of Its Kind
Industry officials have hailed the plant as the first of its scale and automation level on the African continent. The Cold Rolling Mill adds 54 percent value to hot-rolled coils, transforming raw inputs into finished steel products that meet international quality standards. This value addition is expected to reduce the nation’s import bill significantly while strengthening regional supply chains.
The Level 2 automation system from Danieli enables precise control over the rolling process, ensuring consistent product quality, reduced waste, and enhanced operational efficiency—key factors that position Uganda as an emerging steel hub in East Africa.
Strategic Implications for East Africa
With Uganda’s infrastructure and construction sectors growing rapidly, the new mill is poised to meet rising domestic demand while also serving markets in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The facility’s output will support everything from building materials to automotive and appliance manufacturing, fostering downstream industries.
President Museveni reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for private sector investment, citing Roofings Group as a model of successful public-private partnership in industrial development.
Looking Ahead
The inauguration of the Phase IV Cold Rolling Mill represents more than just a technological achievement—it is a testament to Uganda’s growing industrial capacity and its ambition to become a manufacturing powerhouse within the region. As the facility ramps up production, stakeholders anticipate further job creation, technology transfer, and increased foreign exchange earnings from steel exports.
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