Officials from Metro Cement unveiling the new product line at Serena Hotel on December 18, celebrating the company’s expanded production capacity and diversified cement offerings
Metro Cement has officially launched its new cement products in Uganda, signaling a major expansion in the company’s operations and a renewed commitment to quality, job creation, and tax contributions. The event took place at Serena Hotel on December 18, introducing Farasi, Njovu Branda, and muFundi, alongside the company’s existing Emirate Brand.
The expansion comes as part of Metro Cement’s broader growth strategy in Uganda, where the company first entered the market in 2019 with a 300,000-tonne production capacity. The new plant in Kamonkoli, Mbale, now boasts a production capacity of one million metric tonnes, utilizing fully automated German technology customized for Ugandan working conditions. The investment underscores Metro Cement’s confidence in Uganda’s political stability, regulatory clarity, and improving infrastructure, including the introduction of direct flights between the UAE and Uganda.
Speaking at the event, Group Director Shamil Razak emphasized that the company is ready to employ more Ugandans, pay higher taxes, and supply greater volumes and varieties of cement to meet growing local demand. “We are committed to supporting Uganda’s industrialization agenda and providing high-quality products that meet international standards,” he said.
The launch was attended by several government and industry officials, including Milly Babalanda, Minister for the Presidency, Uganda Investment Authority Director General Robert Mukiza, and National Environment Management Authority Executive Director Dr. Akankwasa Barirega. Babalanda described the expansion as a celebration of “the confidence of our people and our future as Uganda,” and highlighted how the project aligns with the government’s development philosophy of lifting citizens out of poverty through industrial growth, value addition, and job creation.
Mukiza and Dr. Barirega pledged their agencies’ support for Metro Cement’s growth agenda, committing to facilitate a favorable environment for expansion, compliance, and sustainable operations. Uganda’s Ambassador to the UAE, Zaake Wanume Kibedi, also attended and noted that such projects reflect the deepening economic ties between Uganda and the UAE, where foreign direct investment has grown from $300 million in 2018 to an estimated $3.5 billion today, with projections of $7 billion once the country’s oil refinery is operational.
Metro Cement’s launch highlights the company’s role in Uganda’s manufacturing sector and reinforces the potential of foreign investment to drive industrialization, create employment, and strengthen revenue collection. Officials say that with continued focus on quality, scale, and competitiveness, Uganda can sustain economic growth and further expand its industrial base.
