PM Nabbanja, Ministers inspect Moroto clinker factory

By Ismael Kasooha

MOROTO

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on Wednesday led a team of Ministers and technical leaders from line Ministries on an inspection visit to the site where a plant is being set up to produce clinker in Katikekile, Moroto District.

Produced by heating a mixture of limestone, clay, and other minerals, clinker is a key ingredient in cement manufacturing.

The team included Hon. Dr Monica Musenero, the Minister for Energy and Mineral Development; Hon. John Baptist Lokii, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs; Hon. Beatrice Anywar, the Minister of State for Environment; Hon. Siraji Musa Ali, the Minister of State for Works; and Dr. Alfred Okidi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Environment, among others.

“I have led a delegation of Honourable Ministers and technical staff to this factory following a Presidential Directive,” the Prime Minister said during the inspection tour. “The President has actively supported the development of this facility and wants to know the progress registered so far in the efforts to establish it.”

The project team informed the Prime Minister and the ministers that the construction works were progressing well, but stressed the need for resources to put in place key facilities, such as a dam, to supply water to the plant.

Musenero assured the team that the Government has already released funds for the construction of the dam. Nabbanja directed the contractor to complete the outstanding construction works so that the factory can open as soon as possible.

She said the factory will reduce Uganda’s import bill and contribute to socioeconomic development. Uganda spends between US$200 million and US$300 million on clinker imports each year.

Nabbanja said that the President banned the export of unprocessed minerals to encourage value addition to these natural resources and stimulate job creation and socioeconomic development.

“This decision is not only attracting factories like this one to Uganda, but is also generating jobs and revenue for the country,” the Prime Minister said. “Besides creating jobs for the sons and daughters of Moroto District, this factory will contribute to the Government’s mineral value-addition strategy and socioeconomic transformation.”

Nabbanja urged all the people and leaders of Moroto to support and actively monitor the development of this factory because it is a key national investment whose benefits will be felt across Moroto and Uganda in general.

Lokii thanked the NRM Government for the sustained peace and security in Karamoja, which is facilitating socioeconomic development.

Ali noted that work on the roads to the factory is progressing well, while Anywar said the Ministry of Water and Environment will provide all the necessary support to expedite the establishment of the factory.

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