Museveni advises the public to support industrialists

Jul 15, 2014

President Yoweri Museveni has appealed to all leaders and citizens of Uganda to give the necessary support and incentives to industrialists who come to invest in Uganda noting that the country’s future lies in industrialisation and a vibrant service sector.

President Yoweri Museveni has appealed to all leaders and citizens of Uganda to give the necessary support and incentives to industrialists who come to invest in Uganda noting that the country’s future lies in industrialisation and a vibrant service sector.

He made the remarks yesterday while commissioning a newly built multi-million dollar industrial complex, Tian Tang indusrial complex belonging to Tian Tang Group of Industries from the People’s Republic of China.

The industrial complex, located on a 33 acre land, is located in Mbalala in Mukono district and is involved in the production of steel and steel products, wood, and leather products as well as mattresses. It employs more than 1,000 people directly and thousands indirectly.

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President Yoweri Museveni posing for a group picture with Chairman, Tian Tang Group (fourth right), Zhang Zhi, State Minister of Investment Gabriel Ahedra (third right), First Lady Janet Museveni (centre) Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhao Yali (fourth left) ,State Minister for the Youth Ronald Kibuule (third left) and State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Okello Oryem, during the launch of Tian Tang indusrial complex in Mukono.PHOTO/ Kennedy Oryema


President Museveni, who was accompanied to the inauguration ceremony by his wife and Karamoja Minister Mrs. Janet Museveni, asked all Ugandans to give support to investors who come to Uganda.

He specifically asked government agencies to remove all red tapes that hinders investment in the country.

“The future of Uganda is in industrialisation and a developed service sector. Yes agriculture is important but not as important as industries because it can’t employ as many people as industries’’, the President noted.

He also noted that industries have other advantages as they increase government revenue through paying taxes, solve the scarcity of goods both locally and in the region, pay for utilities such as energy and water and provide market for the local produce like food and other local raw materials.

Museveni said that industries are stimuli factors of economic growth and development of any nation.

He observed that having a few people employed in industries and many in agriculture is an indicator of backwardness and underdevelopment.

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“The United States of America and the United Kingdom have only 2 percent of their population employed in the agricultural sector and the majority of the working people are in industries and service sectors and that’s why they are prosperous nations”, he said.

“Tian Tang is employing more than 1,000 people, generating an income of US$55 million dollars and pays US$1.8 million dollars in taxes annually on 33 acres.  What would be the output if the land was dedicated to agriculture?” the President challenged the leaders.

He said that countries like China and India have got a very big population in billions but they are prosperous because they are industrialised and can provide for their citizens’ needs.

The President used the occasion to commend the Chinese government and people for the strong cooperation and support they have extended to Africa in the last 65 years right from the days of the African independence struggles up to today.

He re-assured them of his government continued cooperation with the Chinese government and people.

Trade, Industry and Co-operatives Minister, Hon. Amelia Kyambadde, commended the President for the prevailing investment climate that has seen different manufacturing sectors expand especially the steel mills that have grown from 3 in 1986 to 15 today.

The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Zhao Yali, thanked the President for personally opening the industrial complex which, he said, was a manifestation of the seriousness the government attaches to her bilateral relations with China as well as the Chinese investors in Uganda.

He reported that both trade and investment between Uganda and China has increased and will continue to grow with Chinese firms increased interest in the country because of the prevailing investment climate and incentives.

The Managing Director Tian Tang Group, Mr. Zhang Paul, said that 70 percent of the products made at the factory are consumed in Uganda while 30 percent are exported in the region with South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi being their main destination.

He said that his factory had imported cheap technology from China, the reason they have been able to produce quality products at low prices making them competitive on the market.

He expressed happiness that the government was solving the power problem by building more power dams that would make life for manufacturers easier.
 

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