By Goloba Richard
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa has reaffirmed Parliament’s resolve and commitment to continuously support the vision of His Excellency President Museveni of transformation of Uganda, through industrialization, but mostly on value addition on Uganda’s raw materials like Iron ore, coffee, milk, maize, etc. He was speaking during a series of engagements on his oversight tour of Tembo Steel and Sino Uganda Mbale Industrial Park on Friday with a some Members of Parliament, at Tembo Steel, he discovered that they use 100% iron ore from Muko in Kigezi sub region, which was recently declared to be of high quality.
TEMBO STEEL
“As presiding officers of Parliament, me and Rt Hon Anita Annet Among we have resolved to do oversight on different sectors to have the latest information on the progress and challenges of the policies, we as parliament have over the years passed and supported government on, you are aware that we have parliamentary committees which do good work, but we need to abreast ourselves with what’s on the ground, and am happy to see, learn, and experience what our investors are doing “noted Tayebwa .
Tembo Steel Uganda Ltd, is an ISO 9002-certified Company, which is one of East Africa’s largest corporations, specializing in the manufacturing of hot and cold rolled profiles. The company’s strategic investments in Uganda, 25 years ago have not only created tangible assets but also intangible ones, which serve as pillars in the Ugandan economy.
President Museveni has on several occasions emphasized the need for locally based value addition on Uganda’s natural resources for the benefit of it’s people. Uganda has the based iron ore deposits in the world, and he promised the country that no one will take an ounce of iron ore from Uganda, until Uganda is ready to add value on it.
The Deputy Speaker was accompanied by Hon Atima Jackson Lee Buti MP Arua Central Division, and welcomed by Hon Muwuma Milton Kalulu MP Kigulu South, Hon Kauma Sauda MP Iganga District, Hon Mugema Peter (Pandaol) MP Iganga Municipality at Tembo Steel.
Tembo Steel manufactures cost-effective and high-performing steel by integrating backward and forward processes, under which they offer an extensive array of flat and long products, and their product portfolio spans the entirety of the steel value chain, catering to diverse markets. Fueled by an indigenous ethos and a keen foresight into future trends.
Mr Manish Kala, the General Manager rallied government to always pass investor friendly policies that can spur investments and increase on the country’s revenue as well as creating employment for the people.
SINO UGANDA MBALE INDUSTRIAL PARK
Deputy Speaker Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa, was welcomed by members of Parliament and Chairman Zhang Zhigang of Tain Tang group together with other Chinese investors, where he launched the second phase of Unisteel Investment Uganda Limited, a company that produces steel within the park.
Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park is one of 22 state-level industrial parks in Uganda, which was proposed by Ugandan President Museveni and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, approved by Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, organized and constructed by the Tian Tang Group. Since its launch, the project has won great attention and support from the governments of China and Uganda. China, is an important cooperation partner of Uganda, has been providing capital as well as sharing skills and technology to develop energy and transport infrastructure, which are key drivers of industrialization.
He assured the investors of government’s commitment to ensure that the park is well facilitated with enough power, water, good drainage and roads, and they as leaders of Parliament are very supportive of President Museveni’s directive for government to invest in there 400 billion shillings to provide the much needed improvement on the park. ” You are our partners in development, and as government we have to provide the essentials for you to operate smoothly for a better and transformed Uganda”.
The development of the Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park has seen huge foreign direct investment coming through the industrial park, that has helped in terms of import substitution, with many things such as televisions and clothes, are all being produced at the park.
Mr Zhang Zhigang thanked the government of Uganda for the environment provided to do business, where by the park is now offering employment for over 5000 young people, who come from across Uganda, and have helped transform their communities back home.
MPs who included Hon Wamala Nambozo Florence, State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Hon Eng Irene Muloni MP Bulambuli District, Hon Karim Masaba MP Industrial Division, Hon Wanda Richard MP Bungokho Central, Hon Dr Mary Gorreti Kitutu MP Manafwa District, Hon Nakayenze Connie MP Mbale City, Hon Musila John MP Bubulo East, Hon Magolo John Faith MP Bungokho North, and Hon Dr Wandwasi Robert MP Bungokho South appreciated the Speaker and Deputy Speaker for the initiative undertaken to reach many institutions that are implementing the policies of government through investments in Uganda, and have first hand information. They also thanked President Museveni for the steady fast security, that has been an enabler for investors to come and do business in Uganda, and massively contribute to the development of Uganda.
“We appreciate you our Deputy Speaker for this trip to Mbale and other areas, and we are very sure you will advise the President on the many interventions that are urgently need for his executive to plan and we budget to see they are implemented, a case in point are the roads within the park and the communities around the park, a permanently stationed fire fighting station to avert any calamities, as experienced some time back when billions were lost through a fire outbreak “noted MPs.
Hon Atima Jackson Lee Buti rallied companies like Ujia Innovation Technology Ltd, Grace textile (U) Ltd, Chint Meters & Electrical Uganda Electric Co., Ltd, Tian Tang, Unisteel Investment Uganda and many others to open outlets in Arua City and West Nile for the huge market in DRC, South Sudan and Central African Republic, which will in turn also improve on Uganda’s revenue and more employment, but also establish factories there.
Rt Hon Tayebwa, called on government to design a policy that can reward people who have taken an initiative to add value on Uganda’s minerals and others like milk, coffee through incentives like low taxes to support Uganda’s manufacturing sector. He also re echoed the resolve of the leadership of Parliament as they focus on interventions that support the vision of HE President Museveni on transformation of the country. Additionally he called on government agencies to set up a one stop center for the much needed services that facilitate business like URA, NSSF, Work permits etc. so as to easy business.
