Displaying items by tag: Uganda

Uganda: A group of workers from Tororo Cement staged a protest on 28 July 2025, in which they demanded better pay and improved working conditions. The workers, mainly from the kiln section, called on management to increase their wages in light of the rising cost of living. They are also seeking to be considered for full-time employment and for improvements in workplace safety and conditions.

The protest was suspended after management offered a 10% salary increase, lower than the 17% initially proposed by the workers’ union. Patricia Chemutai, the company’s Human Resource Officer, expressed surprise at the demonstration, saying that negotiations had already been underway when the protests began. Chemutai noted that the disagreement stemmed from the union’s initial demand of a 30% salary increase, which management found ‘excessive.’

Uganda: Hima Cement has said that over 50% of its fuel for cement production now comes from renewable biomass instead of heavy fuel oil (HFO). Head of regulatory affairs David Mugagga said that the biomass used to fuel the kilns at Hima Cement’s plants is sourced from coffee husks, palm kernels, rice husks and sawdust. Mugagga also said that the company collects hazardous waste to use as fuel, reducing the amount that goes to landfill.

Uganda: Lands, Housing and Urban Development minister Judith Nabakooba said that the government and the Naita-A-Tepeth Communal Land Association have finalised a lease agreement to enable Tororo Cement to build Uganda’s first clinker plant in Katikekile, Moroto District. Nabakooba said that the project began in 2023, and will reduce clinker imports and conserve foreign exchange.

According to a social media post by the ministry, the agreement includes the sale of 202 hectares to Tororo Cement for the plant site, the lease of 3824 acres to the Uganda Investment Authority and the titling of institutional land for local public use.

Uganda: Tororo Cement has condemned a counterfeit cement racket after authorities seized over 700 bags of fake product in Osukuru, Tororo District. Five suspects were arrested following the discovery of two warehouses storing the material.

Senior manager of logistics and utilities David Omaido warned that such activities damage the company’s reputation, and urged consumers to buy only from authorised dealers.

He advised buyers to verify authenticity using Uganda Bureau of Standards stamps and by checking that packaging is in 50kg bags. The company is particularly concerned about the origin of the counterfeit packaging.

Kenya: Hasmukh Patel, the founder of Mombasa Cement, has died at the age of 58 years after a short illness. He was also the chair of Uganda-based Tororo Cement, according to the Standard newspaper. Patel set up Mombasa Cement in 2007. Notably, the Corporate Social Responsibility programmes of his companies had a budget of around US$12m/yr for spending on various philanthropic schemes.

Uganda: Cement manufacturers have lauded the Uganda Revenue Authority's enforcement of digital tax stamps, citing a significant reduction in counterfeit products in the local market. According to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, counterfeit goods constitute 58% of the market, posing risks to both consumers and the economy.

Edina Agwata, Sales Manager at Simba Cement Uganda said “We have initiated a price reduction in the market, forcing our competitors to also drop their prices. We are focused on making cement affordable to every Ugandan so that they can build their dream home.”

Uganda: West International Holding has commenced construction of a US$200m cement factory on 50 acres in Buikwe District, reports the Daily Monitor. The plant is located in Njeru municipality and construction is expected to complete by August 2025. It will employ 1800 workers and produce 4000t/day of cement.

Ambrose Byona, group director, said “This factory is going to support markets in the Central (Kampala areas), Mwanza in Tanzania and Mugingo in Kenya. We also want to use the railway to transport these products to avoid wearing out the road with loaded trucks.” The project will also provide a health centre and a school for the community.

Balaam Barugahara, state minister for gender, labour and social development, assured that local youth employment will be prioritised. However, Njeru municipality mayor Yassin Kyaze asked the company not to exploit employees like most plants in Njeru municipality are allegedly doing, saying such conduct has cast most plants negatively in the public domain.

Uganda: Authorities in Tororo district intercepted a counterfeit cement operation on 7 August 2024, seizing over 4t of cement. The joint operation by police, Uganda Revenue Authority, and the Resident District Commissioner’s office targeted a group involved in producing and selling counterfeit cement, which was packaged in branded bags of Simba Cement, Tororo Cement, and Hima Cement. The bust took place 5km from Tororo along the Tororo-Jinja highway. A truck carrying the counterfeit cement was impounded, and the driver was arrested.

Albert Amula, deputy resident district commissioner, highlighted the dangers of using substandard materials, linking them to building collapses, and called on contractors to only buy from licensed hardware stores. Cement manufacturers have called for stricter regulations to combat this illicit trade.

Uganda: Richard Todwong, leader of the National Resistance Movement party, launched his Karamoja mobilisation tour at the clinker cement plant in Moroto District on 24 June 2024. The plant is owned by West International Holding, a subsidiary of China West Cement, and is currently under construction. Once operational in 2025, it will produce about 6000t/day of clinker and cement, according to New Vision. The project is valued at US$300m, spanning 81 hectares and employing over 1000 people in the Karamoja sub-region. Uganda imports over 50% of its clinker supply and this project will reportedly support the government’s import substitution initiative by allowing for local manufacture of clinker.

Uganda: Kenya-based Bamburi Cement has completed its US$84m sale of its subsidiary Hima Cement to a consortium comprising Sarrai Group and Rwimi Holding. The transaction completed in early March 2024 following regulatory and shareholder approval, according to the Business Daily newspaper. Bamburi Cement’s intention to sell Hima Cement was first announced in November 2023. Holcim held a 70% share and Cementia Holding held a 30% share in Hima Cement. Both companies have sold their full stakes to the new owners.