Government reaffirms support for Roofing’s expansion and steel value addition

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local manufacturing and strengthening Uganda’s industrial capacity following a visit to Roofings Group’s newest facility at the Kampala Industrial and Business Park in Namanve.

The Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi, together with the Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Monica Musenero, and Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) Director General Robert Mukiza, visited the facility on Friday, August 21, 2026 ahead of the planned inauguration of Roofings’ Ultra-Modern Cold Rolling Mill Complex.

The Finance Minister, Henry Musasizi, together with the Minister for Energy Dr. Monica Musenero, and the UIA, Director General Robert Mukiza, during a meeting at Roofing Group.

The $125 million facility, with an annual production capacity of 150,000 tonnes, will manufacture Pickled Coils, Cold Rolled Coils, Aluminium-Zinc Coated Coils and Colour Coated Coils. The investment is expected to strengthen Uganda’s capacity to produce higher-value steel products for local and regional markets.

Roofings currently has a total production capacity of 625,000 tonnes per annum. In 2025, the company recorded Sh400.1 billion in value addition, Sh191.2 billion in tax contributions and Sh229.6 billion in exports, while supporting 2,224 jobs.

Speaking during the visit, Minister Musasizi noted that Roofings’ flat steel manufacturing operations contribute 54% in value addition, placing the company among the leading contributors in Uganda’s high-value steel manufacturing sector.

Finance Minister, Henry Musasizi speaking during a meeting at Roofings Group in Namanve.

He pledged continued government support for manufacturers as Uganda works to expand local production, increase value addition, create jobs and boost exports.

Roofings Group Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Arif used the engagement to outline the company’s expansion plans and highlight challenges requiring government intervention.

He said the company is seeking to establish a downstream rebar factory and requested UIA to facilitate the allocation of an additional 70 acres of land in Namanve to support the project.

Roofings Group Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Arif interacting with the UIA Director General during a visit at their facility.

Sheikh Arif also raised concerns over the refund of the 1% Import Declaration Fee and 1.5% Infrastructure Levy paid on raw materials used in exported products. He called for government to address the issue to ease the cost burden on manufacturers.

He further proposed tariff adjustments on industrial metal-coating paints and steel billets, noting the importance of ensuring that local manufacturers remain competitive.

On regional trade, Sheikh Arif urged the Government to engage EAC partner states on taxation and other trade measures to promote a free, fair and uniform regional market that benefits businesses across the bloc.

The Group CEO also outlined Roofings’ plans for an integrated iron and steel project and a clinker and cement value-addition project, which he said would further expand the company’s contribution to Uganda’s industrialisation and value-addition agenda.

An employee at Roofing Group takes the Finance Minister through what he does.

Minister Musasizi’s comments were complemented by Minister Musenero, who highlighted government’s efforts to support Roofings’ plans to develop an integrated iron and steel value chain.

Musenero said the Ministry has already issued Roofings Rolling Mills Ltd with a mineral exploration license, providing the company with access to potential sources of raw materials. The company has also developed a program of work for the exploration activities.

The Ministers. UIA DG, Robert Mukiza and Roofings Group officials pose for a group photo shortly after the meeting.

She said the Ministry will work closely with UIA to identify suitable land for the proposed facility, preferably located as close as possible to the mineral source.

The planned investment will require a sizeable piece of land for a facility capable of processing iron ore into finished steel products, supporting deeper local value addition and reducing reliance on imported steel products.

Musenero also pointed to Uganda’s emerging automotive manufacturing industry as a potential major consumer of locally produced steel, particularly automotive-grade steel.

She noted that Uganda is entering a period of rapid industrialization, creating strong domestic demand for steel products.

The UIA Director General Robert Mukiza interacting with the Minister for Energy Dr. Monica Musenero shortly after a meeting as Roofings officials look on.

“For steel, the first customer is the nation itself. We are entering that phase of rapid industrialization, so the consumption of most of the steel products is internal and then when we have extra, we can export,” Musenero said.

She added that government would engage Roofings on the specific steel products needed to support the country’s industrial and automotive manufacturing ambitions.

ENDS