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  • MPs call for government take over of Kampala-Entebbe Expressway operations

    MPs call for government take over of Kampala-Entebbe Expressway operations

    The Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure has called on government to take over the operations of the Kampala – Entebee Expressway and investigate alleged failures in its management.

    In the committee’s report presented to the House by the chairperson, Hon. Mwine Mpaka on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, the legislators recommended that the Ministry of Works and Transport immediately take over the operations and maintenance of the Expressway, arguing that this will reduce expenditure on private contractual arrangements and protect revenue needed to repay the loan used to finance the road.

    The committee in its orientation observed that the management of the Expressway continued relying on cash transactions, observed audit reports, contractor cost issues, procurement concerns and public finance management issues among others.
    “These concerns left the committee with limited assurance regarding the management of the project and raised questions as to whether the loan would be repaid as envisaged and whether the project reflected value for money,” Mpaka said.

    The committee members in their recommendations stated that the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) take over toll collections and introduce an electronic payment system, with all collections deposited into an account designated for repayment of the Expressway loan.
    “The committee calls for investigations into the management of the Expressway including a forensic audit of its operations and revenue collections and scrutiny of the extension of a contract with Pinnacle Security Limited at a reported Shs36 billion,” Mpaka said.

    On the financial loss occasioned as a result of engaging a private operator, the MPs recommended that the former UNRA accounting officer and board be investigated and prosecuted for allegedly failing to exercise their oversight role.

    Mwine Mpaka said that there is need to investigation and prosecute the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport who issued the extension of the Pinnacle Security Limited contract at a reported cost of Shs36 billion for one year without approval from the Attorney General, contrary to Article 119(5) of the Constitution.

    Gulu City Woman Representative, Hon. Betty Aol Ochan said Uganda is losing revenue because of weak systems and excessive reliance on cash payments.
    She called for greater use of digital payments to reduce losses, saying, ‘this digital will help also to reduce the losses’.

    Hon. Juliet Kyinyamatama (NRM, Rakai District) backed the call for a forensic audit describing the absence of a comprehensive audit over the years as “a big shocker”.
    “I think after doing a forensic audit, this is when we should take these decisions. So, for example, terminating the contract and letting the Ministry of Works take over,” she said.

    Bukuya County MP, Hon. Michael Bukenya calling for the immediate suspension of the current operations while investigations are conducted.

    Budadiri County East MP, Hon. Julius Nakiyi said Parliament should use the matter to demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption and questioned whether the Expressway is generating enough revenue to recover its investment.

    He also called for URA to investigate tax issues surrounding the operator and recover any taxes found to be due.

    Kassanda County North MP, Hon. Patrick Oshabe urged the Auditor General to use the committee’s findings as a model for future audits of public entities.
    “I would like to implore our Auditor General and his team to pick this report and use it as a way to report about entities in this Parliament. This should be the template,” Oshabe said.

    The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi supported scrutiny of the Expressway but cautioned that government should first establish whether the Ministry of Works and Transport has the capacity to manage it.

    Following a request by the Works Minister, Hon. Fred Byamukama for more time to study the report and the Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja supporting the request, the Speaker, Jacob Marksons Oboth proposed a working group to examine the recommendations.

    However, Mpaka argued that Parliament should consider the recommendations rather than create a separate mechanism.
    The Speaker ruled that the recommendations will be considered by the whole House on Thursday, 27 August 2026.

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  • Why Parliament wants government to take over operations and maintenance of Kampala-Entebbe Expressway

    Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure has recommended that the government take over the operation and maintenance of the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway amid allegations of corruption and financial irregularities in the management of the road.

    The committee, chaired by Mwine Mpaka, also wants a forensic audit into the expressway’s operations and revenue collections, as well as investigations into the management of toll funds.

    Presenting the committee’s report before Parliament on 25 August, Mpaka said the investigation had uncovered alleged irregularities in toll collection, including losses running into hundreds of millions of shillings.

    He cited the Busega toll station, where the committee found that more than Shs300 million was allegedly lost during the period covered by its investigation.

    The committee recommended the immediate termination of Pinnacle Security Limited’s contract to provide security and collect tolls on the expressway. It also called for scrutiny of the reported Shs36 billion extension of the company’s contract.

    The MPs further proposed that the Ministry of Works and Transport takes over the operation and maintenance of the expressway, arguing that this would reduce government spending on private contractual arrangements.

    The committee also recommended the arrest of all individuals found to have been involved in the alleged large-scale theft or mismanagement of toll collection funds.

    Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth initially proposed the formation of a working group to further examine the committee’s recommendations. However, Mpaka argued that the House should directly consider the proposals.

    The Speaker later ruled that Parliament will debate and consider the committee’s recommendations on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

  • Who Was Dolly Parton? The Country Girl Who Became a Global Icon

    Who Was Dolly Parton? The Country Girl Who Became a Global Icon

    To millions of people around the world, Dolly Parton was simply Dolly.

    You could hear her voice and know exactly who was singing. You could see the blonde hair, rhinestones and bright smile and recognise her instantly. Yet behind that larger-than-life image was a woman who wrote thousands of songs, built a business empire and used her success to help millions of people.

    Dolly Parton, who died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, spent more than six decades becoming one of the most successful and recognisable entertainers in the world.

    She was a singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist, but her journey began far from the glamour of Nashville and Hollywood.

    From a small cabin in Tennessee

    Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee.

    She grew up in a large family in the Smoky Mountains, one of 12 children. Her family had little money, but music surrounded her from an early age.

    Parton started performing as a child and began writing songs while she was still young. After finishing high school, she moved to Nashville with a clear goal: make it in country music.

    It did not take long for people to notice her.

    A breakthrough came after she joined “The Porter Wagoner Show” in the late 1960s. Her partnership with American country singer Porter Wagoner introduced her to a national audience, while her own songwriting and solo career soon pushed her into a different league.

    Then came the songs

    Dolly Parton could write songs that sounded simple but carried enormous emotional weight.

    “Jolene” became one of her biggest and most enduring hits. “Coat of Many Colors” drew from her own childhood. Then there was “I Will Always Love You,” a song that Parton wrote and recorded before American singer Whitney Houston took it to another level with her version for the 1992 film “The Bodyguard.”

    Houston’s recording became one of the biggest hits in music history, but the song’s roots always led back to Parton and her songwriting.

    Her success also pushed country music into new territory.

    With “Here You Come Again,” she crossed over to pop audiences. Then “9 to 5” gave her another massive hit and introduced her to an even wider audience.

    By the end of her career, Parton had sold more than 100 million records worldwide, won multiple Grammy Awards and earned recognition as one of country music’s greatest artists. “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” also entered the Grammy Hall of Fame.

    Dolly was never just a singer

    Music made Dolly Parton famous, but she refused to stay in one lane.

    In 1980, she made her major film debut in “9 to 5” alongside American actresses Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The film became a hit, while Parton’s theme song became another major success.

    She later starred in films including “Steel Magnolias,” proving that audiences wanted to see more than just the singer on stage.

    At the same time, Parton built herself into a serious businesswoman.

    One of her biggest ventures was Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park that became a major tourist attraction and helped bring jobs and visitors to the region she called home.

    The girl who had grown up with very little had built an entertainment empire without losing the connection to where she came from.

    Her biggest impact may have come away from the stage

    Dolly Parton loved giving back.

    In 1995, she launched the Imagination Library, a programme that sends free books to young children. What began as an effort to help children in her home area grew into an international project that has distributed hundreds of millions of books.

    The programme was partly inspired by her father, who never learned to read.

    Her charitable work also extended to disaster relief, education, children’s hospitals and medical research. She donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University, money that contributed to research connected to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

    For Parton, success was never only about what she could achieve for herself. She also wanted to use it to help others.

    Why everybody knew Dolly

    Parton’s success came from her talent, but her personality made her a cultural icon.

    She had a sharp sense of humour and never seemed afraid to laugh at herself. She understood that her wigs, makeup and glamorous style were part of the show, but she also knew exactly who she was.

    That combination made her unusual.

    She could perform for country music fans, pop audiences and younger listeners who had discovered her decades after her first hits. Working with stars from different generations also helped her remain relevant in an industry that rarely gives anyone six decades at the top.

    Across different generations and communities, she also became a figure many people admired, something few entertainers achieve.

    More than “Jolene”

    Dolly Parton leaves behind the songs that made her famous, but that is only part of the story.

    There is the girl from rural Tennessee who arrived in Nashville determined to make something of herself. There is the songwriter who created some of country music’s most memorable songs. Beyond that, there is the actress, the businesswoman and the woman who turned a love of reading into a project that reached children around the world.

    Then there was Dolly herself.

    Funny. Glamorous. Sharp. Generous. Ambitious.

    She built a career so large that it crossed music, film, television, business and charity. Yet no matter how big the career became, the story always led back to that country girl from Tennessee who had a voice, a suitcase full of songs and the confidence to believe she could make the world listen.

    More than 60 years later, the world did.

  • Old School Picnic returns to Sheraton Gardens as Kampala keeps falling for nostalgia

    Kampala’s love affair with old-school music shows no sign of slowing down. After a series of successful nostalgia-driven events, the Old School Picnic returns to Sheraton Gardens this Sunday, bringing together classic RnB, Soul, good food and an audience that still remembers when a great song could bring an entire room together.

    The resurgence is part of a wider shift in Kampala’s lifestyle scene, where events built around familiar music are increasingly competing successfully with conventional club nights. Recent experiences such as the Old School RnB Brunch, Strictly Soul and the Millennials Picnic have shown that people are willing to turn up for music they already know — and sing every word.

    The Old School Picnic has become part of that movement, offering something different from the louder, trend-driven nightlife experience. Here, the music is as important as the socialising, with classics from the 1990s and 2000s creating the soundtrack for an afternoon designed around connection and relaxation.

    There is also something particularly appealing about hearing these songs in a garden setting. Away from crowded dance floors and heavy club production, old RnB records have room to breathe, allowing people to talk, eat, drink and still catch the chorus of a song they have not heard in years.

    The event comes with a familiar indulgence. Baileys, which partnered with the Old School RnB Picnic earlier this year, has already found a natural place within the experience. At the March edition, its treating experience included Baileys-infused gelato, cold serves and other indulgent creations, alongside live music and a garden setting.

    “Seeing the people come together to slow down and savour these moments is exactly why we partnered with the picnic,” said Nancy Nansikombi, Baileys Brand Manager. “Baileys is a versatile canvas for creativity with the reminder that life is sweeter when you indulge a little.”

    The partnership makes sense because the picnic is as much about the experience around the music as the music itself. Guests can settle into the afternoon, enjoy a Baileys serve and reconnect with friends while the DJs move through songs that defined another era.

    Tusker Cider brings a similarly relaxed, social energy to outdoor experiences, complementing the food and easy-going atmosphere of a garden picnic. At recent nostalgia events, the cider has been incorporated into food-led experiences and pairings, reinforcing the idea that these gatherings are increasingly about a complete lifestyle experience rather than simply a night out.

    For Kampala’s increasingly nostalgic party crowd, Sunday offers another opportunity to revisit the songs that shaped school days, university years, first loves and old friendships.

    And if recent events are any indication, the Old School Picnic will not simply be a gathering of people listening to old music.

    It will be a crowd remembering exactly why they loved it in the first place.

  • Trump Mourns Dolly Parton, Orders U.S. Flags Lowered in Her Honor

    Trump Mourns Dolly Parton, Orders U.S. Flags Lowered in Her Honor

    Donald Trump has paid a major tribute to Dolly Parton following the death of the American country music icon, ordering U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for a week.

    The U.S. president announced the decision after news broke that Parton had died at the age of 80 in Nashville on August 25.

    Trump said her death would be felt by millions.

    Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away. This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.

    Then came the national tribute.

    Trump said flags would begin flying at half-staff at 6 p.m. on August 25 and remain lowered until sunset on September 1.

    In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.

    The order does not only apply to the White House.

    Trump’s presidential proclamation covers public buildings and grounds, military posts, naval stations and federal vessels across the United States and its territories. It also directs U.S. embassies, consular offices and other American facilities abroad to lower their flags for the same period.

    The gesture places Parton’s death on a national stage as tributes continue to pour in from the worlds of music, film and politics.

    For more than six decades, Parton remained one of America’s most recognisable entertainers.

    The singer behind “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You” built a career that stretched far beyond country music, taking her into Hollywood, business and philanthropy.

    Now, as America mourns one of its biggest cultural icons, the country’s flag will fly at half-staff in her honour until September 1.

  • Dolly Parton, the Voice Behind “Jolene,” Dies at 80

    Dolly Parton, the Voice Behind “Jolene,” Dies at 80

    Dolly Parton spent more than six decades making herself impossible to ignore.

    She gave the world songs like “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” She conquered country music, found success in Hollywood, built a business empire and became known just as much for her generosity as for her music.

    Now, the woman millions simply knew as Dolly is gone.

    The American country music icon died on August 25 at the age of 80. Her representatives said she died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones.

    Her death came just days after Parton spoke publicly about her health and said she still had plenty she wanted to achieve.

    That is perhaps what makes the news even harder to take.

    Dolly never really seemed like someone who planned to slow down.

    From a small town to superstardom

    Long before the wigs, rhinestones and larger-than-life personality, Parton was a young girl from rural Tennessee with a gift for writing songs.

    She turned that gift into a career that took her from country music to the biggest stages in the world.

    Then came the hits.

    “Jolene” became one of her signature songs. “9 to 5” gave her a massive crossover hit and helped launch her Hollywood career. Meanwhile, “I Will Always Love You” took on an even bigger life when American singer Whitney Houston recorded her version for “The Bodyguard.”

    But Dolly’s story was never only about selling records.

    She became an actress, entrepreneur and one of entertainment’s most successful businesswomen. She built Dollywood into a major attraction and used her wealth and fame to support causes close to her heart.

    Through her Imagination Library, she helped put hundreds of millions of books into the hands of children.

    The tributes have already started

    News of Parton’s death quickly brought an outpouring of tributes from fans and famous names across the world.

    For many people, the loss feels personal.

    Dolly Parton had a rare ability to make herself feel familiar. She could be glamorous and funny, wildly successful and still seem completely comfortable laughing at herself.

    That is why her death reaches far beyond country music.

    At 80, Dolly leaves behind the songs, the movies, the businesses and the charitable work.

    But she also leaves behind something harder to measure.

    A young girl from Tennessee became one of the biggest names in entertainment, and somehow remained Dolly to the very end.

  • Gen. Muhoozi assigns Patriotic Officer Numbers to 82 More PLU Members 

    Gen. Muhoozi assigns Patriotic Officer Numbers to 82 More PLU Members 

    The Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has assigned Patriotic Officer (PO) numbers to 82 more members of the organisation, marking another step in strengthening its internal administrative and leadership structure.

    The latest assignments, which run from PO100 to PO181, bring together Ugandans from diverse backgrounds, including public service, politics, governance, business, security and community mobilisation.

    Among those assigned Patriotic Officer numbers are senior public officials, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Adonia Ayebare, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Eng. Jonard Asiimwe, State Minister for Internal Affairs Hon. Juma Witonze, Deputy Attorney General Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi and Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs Eng. Raymond Kamugisha.

    Also on the list is Special Presidential Assistant – Press and Mobilisation and Deputy Press Secretary to the President, Alhaji Faruk Kirunda, assigned PO132, as well as several other professionals, community leaders and members drawn from different sectors of Ugandan society.

    The assignment of Patriotic Officer numbers forms part of the PLU’s internal organisational framework, providing an administrative identity to members and reinforcing the organisation’s leadership structure and accountability.

    The latest assignments also reflect the continued expansion of PLU’s membership and organisational network as it seeks to strengthen its presence across different sectors and communities in Uganda.

    The organisation has continued to emphasise patriotism, national unity, civic participation, disciplined leadership and service to the country as key elements of its mission.

    In a message accompanying the list, PLU General Secretary Rt. Hon. Twalla Fadil congratulated the newly appointed Patriotic Officers and urged them to serve with diligence, loyalty and commitment.

    “We congratulate all the newly appointed Patriotic Officers and urge them to serve with diligence, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to PLU and our Motherland,” Fadil said.

    The latest assignments are expected to support PLU’s mobilisation, public outreach and community engagement as the organisation continues to advance its programmes and objectives under the leadership of Gen. Muhoozi.

     

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  • Dolly Parton, country music legend, dies at 80 – Sqoop

    Dolly Parton, country music legend, dies at 80 – Sqoop

    Country music icon Dolly Parton, whose remarkable career spanned seven decades and made her one of the world’s most recognisable entertainers, has died at the age of 80.

    Parton died peacefully in Nashville on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, with her family confirming the news through a video shared by her nephew, Bryan Seaver.

    The announcement came just days after Parton had spoken publicly about her health, revealing that she had been dealing with health problems that she had initially neglected while caring for her late husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.

    Despite her struggles, Parton had assured fans that she intended to keep working, saying she still had many things she wanted to accomplish.

    Her death brings to an end one of the most extraordinary careers in country music. From humble beginnings in the Tennessee mountains, Parton rose to become a singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose influence extended far beyond music.

    Born on January 19, 1946, she was the fourth of 12 children and grew up in a poor farming family. Her early experiences would later provide much of the inspiration for her deeply personal songwriting.

    Songs such as “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You” became enduring classics, while her distinctive voice and larger-than-life personality helped make her a global star.

    Parton was also remarkably prolific. She wrote approximately 3,000 songs, sold more than 100 million records worldwide and won 10 Grammy Awards, among numerous other honours.

    But despite her success in film, television and business, Parton consistently regarded songwriting as the heart of her career.

    For decades, she also used her wealth and influence for philanthropy, most notably through her Imagination Library, which has supported children’s literacy.

    Her journey from a one-room cabin in Tennessee to international superstardom became one of the most celebrated stories in entertainment.

    Parton’s death also comes months after the loss of her husband of nearly 60 years, whose death in 2025 deeply affected her. She had spoken openly about the grief and physical and emotional toll that followed.

    With her death, country music loses one of its defining voices, while the world bids farewell to an entertainer whose songs, business ventures, films and philanthropy touched generations.

    Dolly Parton leaves behind a legacy built not only on fame, but on storytelling, resilience, generosity and an extraordinary ability to turn personal experiences into music that belonged to everyone.

    Don’t want to miss out on any story? For updates on all Sqoop stories, follow this link on Telegram: https://t.me/Sqoop

  • Museveni Orders Release of Anita Among, Forgives Former Speaker Over ‘Mistakes’

    Museveni Orders Release of Anita Among, Forgives Former Speaker Over ‘Mistakes’

    KAMPALA — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed that former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among be released from house arrest and will not be prosecuted, according to Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

    In a post on X, Gen. Muhoozi said the President had instructed him to facilitate Among’s release, adding that the decision was part of Museveni’s decision to forgive her for what he described as mistakes.

    “Mzee has also instructed me to release Anita Annet Among from house arrest. We shall do that as well,” Gen. Muhoozi said.

    In a separate statement, Gen. Muhoozi said Among would not face prosecution.

    “No. We shall not prosecute AAA. She made mistakes but Mzee has decided to forgive her,” he said.

    The remarks indicate that the President has opted for forgiveness rather than prosecution in relation to the former Speaker, although Gen. Muhoozi did not provide details of the alleged mistakes or specify the circumstances surrounding Among’s reported house arrest.

    The statements come amid heightened public attention on political and institutional developments in Uganda, with Gen. Muhoozi’s remarks likely to generate further discussion about the Government’s position regarding the former Speaker.

    Among, who served as Speaker of the 11th Parliament , has been a prominent figure in the country’s political leadership.

    Gen. Muhoozi’s comments, however, did not indicate whether the decision to release Among would be accompanied by any conditions or whether any administrative or political action would follow the President’s directive.

    The remarks were made on X and have not, in the statements cited, been accompanied by a detailed official explanation from the President or the Government regarding the circumstances of the alleged house arrest or the decision not to prosecute Among.

     

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  • President Museveni hails Roofings Investment as Uganda deepens industrialization drive

    President Museveni hails Roofings Investment as Uganda deepens industrialization drive

    President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today inaugurated Phase IV Level 2 of the Ultra-Modern Rolling Mill Complex at Roofings Group in Namanve, Mukono District, commending the company for its contribution to Uganda’s industrialisation, local value addition and the development of a self-sustaining economy.

    The President said Uganda’s industrialisation journey must be understood in the context of Africa’s history, noting that colonialism disrupted indigenous African artisanship and left the continent largely dependent on the export of unprocessed raw materials.

    President Museveni recalled that when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) came to power in 1986, it outlined its economic vision through the Ten-Point Programme, including the full monetisation of the economy and the development of an independent, integrated and self-sustaining economy.

    He said regional integration was also identified as critical to creating a large and reliable market for Ugandan producers.

    “A strong market makes it easy for wealth creators to succeed. All they want is a market, and by having a big and sure market, we will create jobs and wealth,” the President said.

    President Museveni congratulated Roofings Group Chairman, Dr. Sikander Lalani, for his contribution to Uganda’s industrial transformation and for investing in local value addition.

    He noted that Roofings initially imported intermediate products from Japan and added value to them in Uganda, with the company achieving about 54 percent local value addition.

    The President said the company was now moving to the next level by producing some of the intermediate products locally instead of importing them.

    He observed that Uganda has abundant iron ore resources, including high-grade iron ore with purity of about 65 percent, providing an opportunity for the country to develop a competitive steel industry.

    President Museveni commended Dr. Lalani for making strategic investment decisions, noting that Roofings had grown its turnover to about Shs1.2 trillion and exports to approximately US$70 million.

    The President further said Uganda’s development should be anchored on the belief in global affluence, noting that countries such as China and India have made significant progress in reducing poverty, while Africa is increasingly beginning to realise its economic potential.

    He said Roofings demonstrates the importance of international cooperation, with the company sourcing technology and products from countries such as Italy and Japan, while Chinese companies have participated in the construction of the plant.

    “This is how you link all of them—the Italians, Japanese and Chinese. Cooperation is the way to go,” President Museveni said.

    The President said the investment is not only expanding Uganda’s industrial capacity but is also creating employment opportunities for Ugandans and supporting the country’s transition towards a middle-income economy.

    The Minister of Trade,Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Sanjay Tanna, congratulated Roofings Group for its long journey and described the Namanve plant as a resounding vote of confidence in the NRM Government and President Museveni.

    He said the peace and stability established under the NRM Government had created an environment that has enabled investors to establish and expand factories in Uganda.

    Hon. Tanna also commended President Museveni for reducing the cost of electricity for manufacturers, noting that Uganda’s industrial power tariffs are among the most competitive in the region.

    He said the reduction in electricity costs has helped create a more favourable environment for industrial investment and expansion.

    Dr. Lalani thanked President Museveni for honouring the invitation to inaugurate the facility, saying his presence meant a great deal to Roofings Group.

    He said the company’s growth has been closely linked to Uganda’s peace and security and thanked the President for consistently championing industrialisation.

    “Thank you for the peace and security, for which, if it wasn’t for peace, Roofings would not succeed,” Dr. Lalani said.

    He also commended the Uganda Investment Authority and other Government agencies for the support extended to the company in its expansion and investment activities.

    Dr. Lalani stressed the importance of stable electricity and improved railway infrastructure to support industrial production and transportation.

    He thanked President Museveni for reducing electricity tariffs for factories, saying the measure had given manufacturers “a breathing space” and improved the operating environment.

    He pledged that Roofings Group would continue working with the President and relevant Government agencies to strengthen Uganda’s steel industry and provide quality iron sheets to the Ugandan market.

    Roofings Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Market:

    Roofings Group Director, Mr. Oliver Lalani said the company is thriving partly because of Uganda’s strong economic fundamentals and growing market.

    He noted that the East African region, with its growing population and expanding economy, presents significant opportunities for the steel industry.

    However, he said more work remains to improve the quality of steel available on the market, particularly as the region’s middle class expands and demand for quality construction materials increases.

    Mr. Oliver also thanked President Museveni for championing Uganda’s economic transformation and the country’s journey towards middle-income status.

    He also commended the President for promoting East African integration, saying regional integration provides an important avenue for expanding markets and strengthening industrial production.

    He reaffirmed Roofings Group’s commitment to working with the government to transform Uganda’s steel industry.

    Meanwhile, the new rolling mill is part of a wider modern industrial complex comprising a cold rolling mill, edge-trimming line, galvanising line and colour-coating line.

    The cold rolling mill is a four-high mill designed to undertake further processing of steel, enabling the company to produce higher-value products locally.

    The new facility represents another step in Roofings Group’s efforts to increase local value addition, reduce dependence on imported intermediate products and strengthen Uganda’s manufacturing capacity.

    The inauguration was attended by Ministers, other government officials, representatives from the private sector and other invited guests.

    The investment adds to Uganda’s growing industrial base and reflects the government’s efforts to promote local manufacturing, value addition, job creation and the development of a self-sustaining economy.

     

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