The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, under the leadership of Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, has awarded a 21-year Large-Scale Mining License (LML0344) to Sunbird Resources Limited. This license permits Sunbird to extract 8000 tonnes of crucial limestone per day from Rupa Sub-County, Moroto District, situated in the Karamoja Sub-region.
Sunbird Resources Ltd initiated limestone exploration activities in Rupa back in 2015. Subsequently, the company has identified an estimated 67 million tonnes of clinkerable limestone, positioning Uganda as a significant player in the cement production industry.
In partnership with West International Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-listed West China Cement Ltd, Sunbird Resources Ltd aims to establish a 6000 Tonnes Per Day Clinker Lime & 1 million Tonnes Per Year Cement Factory in Nadunget Sub-County, Moroto District.
The collaborative venture between Sunbird Resources Ltd and West International Holdings Ltd is expected to create 600 direct job opportunities and support an additional 3000 indirect employment opportunities, aligning with Uganda’s economic growth objectives.
According to Ambrose Byona, the managing director of Sunbird Resources, operational tests for the clinker factory are slated to commence in early next year, with official commissioning scheduled for July 2025.
Moreover, the mining activities and subsequent cement production are anticipated to yield substantial royalty payments, exceeding Shs160 million per day of operation. These contributions will significantly bolster the consolidated fund, as highlighted by Minister Nankabirwa.
Upon completion, the envisioned cement factory aims to become the largest of its kind in Uganda. It seeks to promote import substitution by reducing the country’s reliance on importing 2.4 million tonnes of clinker annually, valued at over US$700 million.
The foundation for the cement factory was ceremoniously laid by President Yoweri Museveni in September 2023, marking a pivotal step towards enhancing Uganda’s industrial capacity and fostering economic self-sufficiency.
