By Elijah Khisa
Metro Cement Uganda Ltd has welcomed a pledge by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to strengthen technical collaboration with cement manufacturers to promote the production and consumption of quality construction materials in the country.
The Lord Mayor of Kampala, Ronald Balimwezo, made the pledge while inspecting stalls of companies participating in a fundraising initiative aimed at raising Shs250 million to support the construction of an orphanage home in Luwero District. The event was held at the Cricket Oval grounds in Lugogo, Kampala.
Balimwezo said KCCA would strengthen collaboration with Metro Cement and other stakeholders to ensure consumers in the construction industry have access to quality cement and concrete products.
Metro Cement Chief Marketing Officer Abdul Hameed told the Lord Mayor that the company’s products are manufactured in accordance with Halal standards and are suitable for various construction projects, including greenhouse structures.
Hameed said that, based on the growing trust, confidence and expectations in Uganda’s construction industry, the company established a cement manufacturing plant in Uganda seven years ago.
The plant is located in Kamonkoli Township, Budaka District, along the Mbale-Tirinyi Highway, close to Mbale City.
He said the investment has created employment for 215 people and supported 12 strategic community-centred projects aimed at benefiting surrounding communities.
Hameed said Uganda’s cement manufacturing industry has continued to grow, with companies serving both local and regional markets.
He added that Metro Cement, backed by its manufacturing expertise, is seeking to expand into emerging markets as it continues to grow its presence in Uganda’s cement manufacturing sector.
Balimwezo commended Metro Cement for its achievements during the seven years it has operated in Uganda, particularly its contribution to the production of quality cement and concrete construction products.
He pledged that KCCA, working with stakeholders including the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), would provide the necessary technical and logistical support to strengthen the production of standard construction materials for local, regional and global markets.
The Member of Parliament for Kyadondo East in Wakiso District, Nkunyinji Muwadda, said Parliament appreciates the role Metro Cement plays in supporting Uganda’s construction sector, particularly through the production of quality cement and concrete products.
Muwadda, who is also the chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), noted that despite the growth and expansion of Uganda’s cement manufacturing industry in recent years, prices of cement products remain high.
The KCCA Deputy Executive Director, Benon Kigenyi, said the authority was technically engaging cement and other construction-material manufacturers to ensure consumers are protected from counterfeit products.
Kigenyi commended Metro Cement for contributing to the growth of Uganda’s housing sector through the production of quality cement products.
He urged the company to strengthen its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes to support communities surrounding its operations and ensure strict compliance with government policies and regulations.
