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A major source of cement

 Abubaker Mukose - New Vision 28Th Apr, 2006

Given its potential in minerals and a booming local market together with neighbouring Kenya.Tororo is well-endowed with giant industries This makes the district a major source of revenue for Government in form of taxes.

For decades, Tororo has been Uganda’s major source of cement from the locally mined lime and steel by Tororo Steel Works.  Together with Tororo Cement Factory, the two giants have made Tororo a house-hold name.

Tororo Cement Factory just 10 kilometres before the Uganda-Kenya border and outside  town is a major player in Uganda’s building industry supplying the country with a range of quality products.

The factory produces a range of products including traditional cement, iron sheets, wire products and other raw materials used in the construction industry.  Tororo Cement was privatised in 1995 by the Government at a time when the plant was not operational.

“After renovation, new management not only gave it a new look but also transformed Tororo Cement into Uganda’s market leader. Management undertook various expansion and modernisation programmes and within a short span, capacity reached to 300,000 tons of clinkerisation and about 800,000 tons of grinding capacity” says B.M. Gagrani, the general manager in change of Administration and Finance.

Gagrani explains that production facility for galvanised roofing sheets, nails, barbed wire and other steel products was also included as part of the factory’s up-grading programme.All our products have been approved by the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics (UNBS) and are of international stands.  Tororo Cement is now an ISO accredited company Gagrani adds.

The factory employs 700 workers directly and provides approximately 3,000 indirect employment.  Most of the minerals are indigenously obtained, hence saving Uganda’s foreign exchange.

The availability of local raw materials has also generated an additional 5,000 workers outside Tororo who earn their livelihood through mining activities in Moroto, Nakapiripit and Kapchorwa districts.

Gagrani says Tororo shall continue to manufacture and market quality building materials to satisfy the customers.He elaborates that this shall involve timely delivery and effective after sales services.

“We shall continuously monitor quality performance and innovate improvements, address the needs of the employees, shareholders and community at large and to serve customers of the domestic and export market.We also ensure that personnel and all the stakeholders are committed to the quality management system aims with ongoing training and education, Gagrani explains.

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