President Museveni has commissioned a $100 million (about Shs 380 billion) ethanol and extra-neutral alcohol (ENA) manufacturing plant owned by PRO Industries Pte Limited in Ndibulungi Village, Luweero District, marking a major boost to Uganda's agro-industrialisation and clean energy agenda.
The President, who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataha Museveni, praised the investment as a clear demonstration of the country's shift from exporting raw materials to value addition, industrial growth and job creation.
"This is the correct path for Uganda processing what we grow, creating employment for our people and reducing unnecessary imports," President Museveni said.
He reaffirmed government's commitment to improving workers' welfare and lowering the cost of key production inputs such as electricity, transport and financing to make local industries more competitive.
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President Museveni further emphasised that industrialisation remains central to Uganda's economic transformation, noting that manufacturing and agro-processing provide sustainable jobs and stable markets for farmers.
He called on Ugandans to continue supporting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the forthcoming elections to consolidate gains made in industrialisation, infrastructure development and national stability.
The Managing Director of PRO Industries Pte Limited, Ms. Ridhi Always, described the Luwero facility as the largest extra-neutral alcohol and ethanol plant in East Africa, with an installed capacity of 120,000 litres of ENA per day and 35,000 litres of ethanol per day.
Ms. Always disclosed that the company has invested $100 million (approximately Shs 380 billion) in the state-of-the-art plant, which is already delivering strong linkages to the local economy.
She said PRO Industries works directly with more than 2,000 farmers in Luwero District and surrounding areas, who supply maize used as a key raw material in production.
She also highlighted Uganda's leadership in renewable energy and biofuels, noting that the country will mandate ethanol blending in all petroleum products sold nationwide starting January 2026, in line with Vision 2040 and the Biofuels Act, 2020.
According to Ms. Always, the ethanol blending policy is expected to significantly reduce Uganda's annual petroleum import bill estimated at about $2 billion (Shs 7.6 trillion), while lowering carbon emissions and promoting cleaner, more sustainable energy use.
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She commended the government for providing a stable investment climate, citing peace, security and policy consistency as key factors that have enabled PRO Industries and other investors to thrive.
"The predictable policy environment has allowed us to make long-term investments that support farmers, create jobs and contribute to Uganda's socio-economic transformation," she said.
The commissioning of the PRO Industries ethanol plant positions Luwero as an emerging industrial hub and underscores Uganda's growing momentum in agro-processing, renewable energy and value-added manufacturing.
