• Uganda to commission $300 million cement plant next week
• Plant to produce over 6,000 tons clinker daily
• Project aims to cut imports, boost jobs, support industrialization

Uganda will officially commission a new cement plant in the country’s northeast next week, the government said in a statement on Sunday, April 19.

The facility is a $300 million investment. Authorities said the first phase will have a production capacity of more than 6,000 tons of clinker per day. That output is expected to significantly reduce the country’s reliance on imports, estimated at over 2.5 million tons annually.

In the medium term, increased local production should help stabilize prices and improve access to cement. It is also expected to support job creation, stimulate local economic activity and strengthen industrial linkages in largely underdeveloped areas.

The launch comes as Uganda accelerates its industrialization strategy amid rising demand for cement driven by infrastructure projects.

Despite several existing plants, local production remains insufficient, leading to heavy reliance on clinker and cement imports, which increase production costs and pressure the trade balance. In 2024, imports reached about $154 million, highlighting a structural shortfall in domestic output.

To address this, authorities have introduced reforms in recent years to strengthen industrial capacity. The government has rolled out tax incentives to attract foreign investors to manufacturing, while developing industrial zones and improving access to energy.

Ingrid Haffiny