President William Ruto made an announcement that he will travel to Uganda later this year to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of a steel plant. The steel factory is expected to be East Africa’s Biggest Steel Factory. This steel factory is a joint venture between Kenyan investors and Ugandan resources. The facility is aimed at boosting regional production and also cut the reliance on steel imports.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, President Ruto stated that the high-level ceremony, which he will attend alongside his Ugandan counterpart President Yoweri Museveni, is tentatively scheduled for October, or by latest, November this year.
East Africa’s Biggest Steel Factory Project Factsheet
Location: Tororo, Uganda
Key highlights:
- Regional collaboration: the project is a joint venture between Kenyan investors and Ugandan resources, demonstrating strong bilateral ties and economic integration between the two countries.
- Capacity: it is expected to be the largest steel manufacturing factory in the East African region.
Strategic objective:
- The steel plant will significantly cut back on steel imports for both Kenya and Uganda.
- It will support regional manufacturing. Additionally, it will meet the growing demand for steel in the construction industry and other sectors across East Africa.
- Also, it will open up new export opportunities for steel products within the region and globally.
Raw materials: The project will use Ugandan resources, implying the utilization of local iron ore deposits found in areas like Tororo and Kasese.
Timeline: The high-level groundbreaking ceremony, to be attended by Kenyan President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni,. It is tentatively scheduled for October or November 2025.
Benefits of the Project to Kenya and Uganda
“This project benefit our two countries. It will help us fully utilise the resources we possess for the benefit of our local industries. Additionally, it will open up new export opportunities,” President Ruto stated.
Furthermore, the President described the steel plant as a strategic move that will cut back on steel imports and support regional manufacturing.
“The steel factory project is a joint project between Kenya and Uganda, Kenyan investors, Ugandan resources. The facility is going to cut our imports of steel and enable us to produce for our construction industry and other sectors. Also, we shall be able to export to the region and globally,” he added.
President Ruto expressed gratitude to Uganda’s President Museveni and the Ugandan government for supporting the cross-border project. Furthermore, Ruto stated that the steel facility project demonstrates the strength of bilateral ties. He also said that it is a symbol of growing economic integration between the two countries.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kenya, and the Kenyan investors behind this steel project, I thank you, President Museveni, for your leadership, support, and goodwill,” Ruto said.
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