Hima Cement positive for growth prospects in Uganda

Uganda's Hima Cement expects the country's cement market to show significant growth going forward. Daniel Pettersson, Hima Cement Ltd country CEO, said, "We are very positive about the long-term prospects of the cement industry in Uganda, and LafargeHolcim is keen to solidify its position in the region as the leading producer of building solutions providing its customers with innovative value adding propositions. 

"Hima Cement is committed to ensuring sufficient cement capacity to serve the national infrastructure and construction projects, individuals and the commercial sector.

"As a result, we are embarking on several capacity building projects starting with the construction of a grinding station at the end of 2016; in addition we are in final stages of exploration for a limestone position in North East Uganda to support a future clinker position. Lastly, we are launching a RMX operation in Kigali next month, to be followed by further aggregates and RMX operations in Uganda and Rwanda in the near future."

The company will see the construction of a new grinding station in Tororo, eastern Uganda. The US$40m investment in Nyakesi, Rubongi, will add an additional 1Mta of cement to the market. On completion, the Tororo expansion will further increase Hima Cement’s capacity to 1.9Mta.

Cement demand in Uganda and in the region is projected to remain strong supported by the resurgence in infrastructure development and key mega projects. Uganda will become an oil-producing country by 2020-21, and this will boost economic growth overall and construction growth in particular. East Africa is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world with an average GDP growth of seven per cent. The construction sector is growing at a higher pace of over 10 per cent per annum.