Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Kenyan President William Ruto today, November 23, 2025, officially launched the construction of the US$500 million Devki Steel Plant in Tororo District. The ceremony marked one of the largest industrial investments in Uganda’s history and a major milestone in East Africa’s push for regional manufacturing.
The project is being developed by the Devki Group, a leading Kenyan industrial conglomerate known for steel, cement, and roofing materials across East Africa. The company plans to build a modern steel mill capable of producing one million tonnes of steel every year. The plant will use advanced blast-furnace technology, which allows large-scale production at lower cost and higher quality.
Uganda’s rich iron ore reserves—estimated at more than 500 million tonnes—are the driving force behind the investment. Until now, most of this mineral potential has remained untapped, forcing Uganda to rely heavily on imported steel for construction, infrastructure projects, and manufacturing.
Once complete, the new plant is expected to reduce Uganda’s steel imports significantly and position the country as a major regional exporter of construction materials. The factory will also support the construction boom across the East African Community (EAC), supplying affordable steel for roads, bridges, railways, and housing projects.
President Museveni welcomed the investment, saying the plant will help Uganda add value to its natural resources instead of exporting raw materials. He emphasized that industrialization is a key part of Uganda’s economic transformation.
President Ruto praised the Devki Group for choosing to expand across borders, calling the project an example of how East African cooperation can create jobs and strengthen regional industries. He noted that improved trade and shared investments will benefit both Kenya and Uganda.
The Devki Steel Plant is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs during construction and operation. Local communities in Tororo are also optimistic, as the project will stimulate new businesses, improve infrastructure, and attract further investment to the region.
Construction is scheduled to begin immediately, with the plant expected to be completed within the next few years.
