Kampala — President Yoweri Museveni has stopped the exportation of scrap metal. He also pledged to support a local investor to produce over 70,000 tonnes of steel every year.

Museveni announced this on Thursday while touring BM Steel Industries in Mbarara District, owned by Francis Mwebesa. The factory has been in operation for 20 years.

According to a press release from State House, the President commended Mwebesa for promoting the manufacture of steel in addition to engaging in treated wood products.

He advised Mwebesa to abandon using scrap metal and resort to mining iron ore for sustainability and production of quality steel, observing that the factory was strategically located near the iron ore deposits in Kabale and Bushenyi districts.

Museveni disclosed that he had directed the minister responsible to stop the exportation of scrap metal as many industries which could use it have sprung up. He said the Government would help Mwebesa to construct an improved structure capable of producing 72,000 tonnes of steel per annum.

The President noted that the discovery of oil and gas in the Lake Albert region would make manufacturing a lot more feasible because gas can be used to remove impurities from iron ore.