Steel, metal industries to get regulatory policy

By Abou Kisige

The Government is developing a policy aimed at streamlining the steel rolling and metal recycling sub-sectors in the country.

The trade and industry minister, Amelia Kyambadde, said the policy which is expected to come into force early next year, is expected to give manufacturers the impetus to double capacity by importing sophisticated machinery to address the increasing demand for steel rolling products.

Kyambadde made the remarks during a tour of the new multibillion Roofings rolling mill, a subsidiary of Roofings Group of Companies in Namanve last week.

“We need to avoid crippling our manufacturing sector by plunging investors into huge losses and rendering thousands jobless. This can be achieved through regulating the industry and protecting them from fake products,”

Kyambadde said. Sikander Lalani, the chairman of Roofings Group commended the Government for the enabling and conducive investment climate and asked it to improve on the road infrastructure within the industrial park.

“The Government should revamp the railway line to ease the transportation of heavy materials. This will reduce the burden on the roads,” Lalani said.

He also asked the Government to grant Roofings a mining license to explore iron ore in Kabala or Muko, a move Lalani said, will enable Uganda use its home sourced and processed raw materials.

He said this will the impact the construction industry substantially as well as create jobs.