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The construction of a Shs 1.1 trillion cement and clinker factory in Moroto, led by West International Holding Limited, offers hope to the Karamoja region. Set to employ over 2,000 people, with a focus on local employment, the factory aims to produce 6,000 to 7,000 tonnes per day, reducing the need for imported raw materials.

President Museveni during the ground breaking of Shs 1.1billion cement and clinker factory in Moroto in September 2023

Hopes and eyes of everyone in Karamoja are currently focused on finding all means to tap opportunities from the ongoing construction and after the completion of the Shs 1.1 trillion cement and clinker factory in Moroto.

The factory, for which President Museveni himself led the ground breaking earlier this year, is now under construction. It is being set up by West International Holding Limited, a subsidiary of China West Cement Limited, a Hong Kong-listed company.

When completed in 2025, it will employ more than 2,000 people, with the majority of them being Karamojong locals.

The factory, sitting on 200 acres of land in Nadunget sub-county in Moroto district, will be producing about 6,000 to 7,000 tonnes per day of clinker and cement. This will help reduce the importation of raw materials for cement factories in other parts of Uganda and also save the newly constructed Moroto-Soroti road from being damaged by heavily loaded trucks with raw materials.

James Lokut, a student of Science and Technology at Makerere University, said industrialization is the only way to change Karamoja.

“When I was still a little boy, I used to think raiding cattle and ambushing vehicles were the only means to get wealth, but after I got formal education and exposure, I realized that it was wrong, and I am requesting forgiveness from those I disturbed,” he regretted.

Mr. Lokut is optimistic that with the new factory, it will help promote environmental protection since most families will be building using modern resources like cement instead of cutting down trees for building.

Joel Korobe, another youth, said the setup of the factory in Moroto has been long overdue, adding that many companies have been ferrying away raw minerals from Karamoja, but nothing has changed in the region.

“What’s hurting us the most is that when they take our materials to process in other regions, they don’t recognize that they got it from Karamoja,” he said.

He urged the leadership of the established factory to put Karamojong children as their priority in terms of employment.

“We need to own that factory as children of Karamoja. We have also attained education, positions like management and lower positions, please spare for us, the Karimojong. You can bring someone at the level of directors, no problem, but managers, clearing agents, cleaners, please don’t bring them from other regions; we are here,” he appealed.

Ambrose Byona, the co-director of the factory, assured the people of Karamoja that there will be direct employment and subcontracting. He also noted that there will be a turnover of over 200 vehicles per day transporting the finished product.