Uganda to reject regional mergers in iron and steel industry
WAKISO, February 14, 2026 — Uganda is set to reject proposed industrial mergers in the iron and steel sector involving regional players within the East African Community [EAC].
The Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury [PSST], Ramathan Ggoobi, has said the Government will instead support the domestic steel and iron industry to de-risk backward integration. This, he noted, is a critical step in enabling Uganda to add value to its iron ore resources, build a robust steel industry, and drive economic transformation.
Mr Ggoobi made the remarks during a recent courtesy visit to Roofings Rolling Mills Limited at the Namanve Industrial and Business Park in Kampala.
The visit was intended to assess progress on the ultra-modern Cold Rolling Mill Complex at Namanve, which is regarded as a strong indication of the country’s readiness to host heavy, world-class industrial establishments.
The facility is projected to add at least 54 percent in value to hot-rolled coils and to supply key inputs to 111 steel manufacturers across East Africa, thereby strengthening regional industrial value chains.
Mr Ggoobi reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting the steel sector to produce high-quality construction materials, increase tax revenues, expand export earnings and create more jobs for Ugandans, enabling them to drive national transformation.
He revealed that in 2025, the Roofings Group added over Shs 400 billion in value to raw materials, contributed more than Shs 191 billion in tax revenues, and accounted for over 0.5 per cent of Uganda’s total export earnings, underscoring the sector’s growing contribution to the economy.
Recent reports indicate that industrial players in Kenya have proposed to the East African Business Council [EABC] and regional Heads of State the formation of a single, merged regional steel and iron industry to command dominance within East Africa and beyond.
However, the Chairman of the Roofings Group, Sikander Lalani, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to further investment in Uganda in pursuit of tenfold economic growth.
https://thecooperator.news/govt-injects-shs-28bln-into-creative-industry/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
