By David Rupiny
President Yoweri Museveni has commissioned PRO Industries, reputed as the biggest ethanol plant in East Africa.
The President, accompanied by the First Lady Janet Museveni, said the factory, located in Luwero District in central Uganda, would boost value addition through agro-industrialisation, job creation, clean energy production, and reduce fuel imports.
The 100-million-dollar plant produces a range of maize-based products, including ethanol and extra-neutral alcohol (ENA).
President Museveni said PRO Industries is a clear demonstration of Uganda’s shift from exporting raw materials to value addition, industrial growth, job creation, and import substitution.
The President described the investment project as the correct path for Uganda to process what it grows, creating employment for our people and reducing unnecessary imports. He reiterated the government’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and lowering the cost of key production inputs such as electricity, transport, and financing to make local industries more competitive.
He said for Uganda to transform, industrialisation is key, adding that manufacturing and agro-processing provide sustainable jobs and stable markets for farmers.
The Director of PRO Industries, Vasundhara Oswal, said the plant is the largest extra-neutral alcohol and ethanol plant in East Africa, with an installed capacity of 120,000 litres of ENA per day and 35,000 litres of ethanol per day.
Oswal said the company works directly with more than 20,000 farmers in Luweero District and surrounding areas, who supply maize used as a key raw material in production.
Oswal said they got the motivation to set up the plant in Uganda after the government allowed the blending of ethanol with petroleum products starting in 2026.
She said this will reduce Uganda’s import bill, estimated at two billion dollars annually, while lowering carbon emissions and promoting cleaner and more sustainable energy use.
In 2020, Uganda had just passed the Biofuels Act and a new policy mandating ethanol blending in petrol, creating a powerful incentive for domestic ethanol production.
The policy allows fuel dealers to initially blend 5% ethanol into petrol, with plans to raise the quantity to 20% as supply increases.
This initiative is expected to cut Uganda’s $2 billion annual petroleum import bill while promoting cleaner, locally produced energy.
Oswal hailed the Ugandan government for creating an enabling and stable investment climate, citing peace, security and policy consistency as key factors that have enabled PRO Industries and other investors to thrive.
“The predictable policy environment has allowed us to make long-term investments that support farmers, create jobs and contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation,” she said.
PRO Industries produces a range of products and byproducts. They include:
- DDGS (Distillers Dried Grains with Soluble) – a revolutionary, high-protein feed ingredient crafted from a sustainable and efficient process. Born from the distillation of corn starch into ethanol, DDGS represents the upcycled essence of the original grain, offering a concentrated source of protein and essential nutrients for your livestock.
- Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) – a high-purity alcohol with a remarkably neutral taste and odour. Produced from various sources like sugarcane molasses or grains (corn, rye, wheat, etc.), ENA boasts a wide range of applications across various industries.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) – a colourless, odourless, and non-flammable liquefied gas, boasting a purity exceeding 99.99%.
- Pharmaceutical Grade Ethanol – a high-purity solvent rigorously tested to meet the demanding requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. This product adheres to the strictest international standards, including those set forth by the US, EU, British, and Japanese pharmacopoeias.
- Denatured alcohol – also known as methylated spirits – is a highly functional and cost-effective alternative to pure ethanol for various industrial and household applications. It’s a 94.5% – 95.5% pure ethanol solution that has been modified with specific additives to render it unfit for human consumption.
- Fusel oil – a unique byproduct obtained during the fermentation process; low pH environments, and limited yeast activity due to low nitrogen content. This versatile product offers a range of industrial applications
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