Plans to establish an iron ore smelting plant in Rubanda District are facing delays as local leaders struggle to secure the required acreage for the project. The factory was pledged by President Yoweri Museveni during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Since then, several investors, including the Devki Group of Companies from India, led by chairman Raval Guru Narendra in March 2019, and Steam Investments Limited in June 2023, have expressed interest. However, none have returned to Rubanda to report progress.
During his presidential campaign in Kigezi, specifically Kisoro and Rubanda districts on Monday, local leaders, including David Bahati, Minister of State for Trade, and Ndorwa West MP, Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba, Rubanda District LC5 Chairman, and Bruce Kabasa Balaba, a resident of Bufundi Subcounty, urged Museveni to honor his pledge.
They emphasized that the project would boost the local economy and create employment opportunities in the region. The leaders also requested fulfillment of the president’s promise to upgrade tourism roads to promote the sector in Kigezi.
In response to Kabirizi Playground, Rubanda West County, Museveni said industrial parks require large parcels of land. He cited examples of investments in Mbale District, which have created 12,000 jobs, and noted that after the establishment of a steel plant in Tororo District, investors have agreed to set up a mini plant in Rubanda.
The president tasked leaders to immediately identify 150 acres to attract investors, stressing his frustration with prior unfulfilled promises. When locals suggested using the rally grounds, Museveni rejected the idea, saying the area was a wetland.
Henry Ariganyira Musasizi, Minister of State for Finance in charge of general duties, offered 52 acres on behalf of the district, but Museveni insisted that 150 acres were necessary. Musasizi said local leaders would convene to strategize on securing the larger land. The president directed that efforts focus on areas in both Rubanda and Kabale districts.
Museveni also reiterated his pledges to upgrade tourism roads, improve education and health services, and extend electricity to rural areas if re-elected. He encouraged locals to adopt modern agricultural practices such as fruit and coffee farming, poultry and piggery keeping, and zero grazing to eradicate poverty at the household level.
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