GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND MINES DEPARTMENT, ENTEBBE, UGANDA THE CEMENT AND STEEL INDUSTRY IN UGANDA BY: Naomi Nangoku & Ruth Nassingwa
BACK GROUND Uganda, widely known as the Pearl of Africa is located at the edge of the Equator and occupies 236,040km* with a population estimate of 32,369,558 people. It is bordered by the Democratic republic of Congo in the West, Kenya in the East, Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the South West and Southern Sudan in the North. Uganda gained its independence in 1962 from the Britain.
The Cement Industry in Uganda In 1952, Uganda Cement industry was incorporated due to the demand of Cement for the construction of the Owen falls dam, later in 1953 it was taken up by Uganda Development Cooperation which managed the mining of the two cement factories; Tororo cement and Hima cement. Under the Government privatization scheme in 1995 there was change of ownership giving birth to the present day Tororo cement Limited and Hima cement Limited.
Cement Production There are two cement producing factories in Uganda. These factories used to produce two types of cement; a) Ordinary Portland cement and b) Portland Pozzelana cement but due to the high cost of production of ordinary Portland cement, entrepreneurs have abandoned its production for Portland pozzolana cement.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS Raw materials a) Limestone b) Clay /Mudstone c) Gypsum d) Pozzolanic material
CEMENT USES In Uganda, cement is used for construction activities like: a) Hydro projects e.g Owen falls dam b) Roads and bridges c) Buildings d) Concrete application Concrete production: concrete is prepared and fabricated in all sorts of conceivable shapes and structural systems in realms of infrastructure, habitation, transportation, work and play e.g suspended slabs, beans, columns, water retaining structures.
CEMENT MARKET The improved economic climate by the current government has led to increased infrastructure development which requires large amount of cement. However, the demand has outstripped the supply forcing the country to import cement from countries like Kenya, Egypt and Pakistan among others. Total out put from the two cement: 1,162,241 metric tons Imported cement - 566,082 metric tones Exported cement - 390,476 metric tones (UBOS 2010)
CEMENT MARKET Contn. Despite increased demand, consumption is still low at about 35kgs per capita per year. Due to the skyrocketing prices of cement, many people are still living in unsafe shelters. A bag of cement goes for $12 in local retail outlets in Kampala City. For a product whose raw materials are locally sourced, though price is high for an ordinary person. The increased price of cement has increased the cost of housing. Therefore, the government set up some strategies for low cost housing in Uganda.
Low cost housing strategies in Uganda Training /skill development Education for all program Free education from primary level to vocational institution. Increase income of low income earners Prosperity for all ; formation of sacco National Agricultural Advisory Development Service (NAADS) program. Increase access to land.
Low cost housing strategies in Uganda Contn. Leasing of land on good terms and condition Improve technology: a) Using Hydra form Building system b) Local initiatives Soil bonded man burnt blocks using molasses residue. - Timber houses
Impact of cement and concrete in Uganda Development of infrastructure Economic development Air pollutions Vegetation clearance Noise pollution Culture distortation Political ties strengthened.
Steel Industry In the late 1980 s there were eight companies producing steel products in Uganda. Produced mainly gardening bees and galvanised corrugated iron sheets. Production drastically declined during the dictatorship era of Idi Amin. However, the new government attempted to privatize it Currently, there are over, ten companies producing a wide range of products and this has been to the increased number of fabricators in Uganda.
Challenges facing the cement and steel industry in Uganda High cost of production o soaring energy cost o High transport cost o Cheap imports o Use of expensive imported raw-materials such as clinker and billets Lack of enough qualified staff. Unreliable technology in laboratories. Lack of equipments especially in laboratories
Conclusion: The cement and steel industry has bright prospects given the demographic growth and urbanization in Uganda. In addition the government investment in exploration work is also an advantage as more deposits for raw materials will increase. However, the above mentioned challenges need to be addressed for the advancement of the industries.
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