Museveni and Ruto break ground on USD 500 million Devki Steel Plant in Tororo

24 November 2025, 9:48 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Kenya’s President William Ruto yesterday presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the USD 500 million Devki Mega Steel Plant in Tororo District, marking a major step toward job creation and industrialisation in the region. The project, led by investor Dr. Narendra Raval, is expected to employ more than 15,000 Ugandans and expand economic opportunities for both countries.

The event attracted ministers from Uganda and Kenya, alongside citizens from both nations who came to witness what leaders described as a historic stride toward value addition and regional integration.

In his remarks, President Museveni hailed the project as a step toward Africa’s economic liberation.
“The groundbreaking of the USD 500 million Devki Mega Steel Plant in Tororo… marks a major step in our journey to liberate Africa from centuries of exploitation,” he said. “For over 500 years, we have been losing value through slavery, colonialism, and the export of raw materials. With this integrated steel operation… we move closer to ending the hemorrhage of our minerals, our jobs and our foreign exchange.”

Museveni thanked President Ruto for encouraging the investor to choose East Africa and noted that Uganda’s abundant raw materials make it a strategic location. He also cautioned communities against delaying projects over compensation disputes, assuring them that government would handle such matters.
“As we reduce the USD 5 billion lost annually to imports and prepare for the Standard Gauge Railway, the future is bright and more investments will follow,” he said.

President William Ruto, in his speech, described the Devki steel project as a transformative investment for the region.
“Sitting on more than 400 acres of land, the multi-billion facility will cut our import bills, create jobs, build new value chains and expand opportunities,” he noted. Ruto reaffirmed Kenya and Uganda’s commitment to supporting transnational investments that will advance Africa’s industrialisation agenda and boost intra-African trade.

Meanwhile, away from the groundbreaking event, Uganda’s First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni, was recently honoured with the International Woman ICON Leader Award by Malaysia’s Binary University. The award, delivered by Professor Joseph Adaikalam and his team, recognised her decades of service and leadership.

Receiving the award, Mrs. Museveni reflected on her journey from exile to national leadership. She said the honour affirmed “God’s goodness” throughout her life and reiterated her commitment to building “an ethical and hopeful Uganda.” She also highlighted her new focus on fighting what she called “Acquired Integrity Deficiency Syndrome” threatening the nation.

She expressed gratitude to President Museveni for 52 years of “loyal friendship” and thanked her family for their support. Mrs. Museveni encouraged young Ugandans to contribute to national development, saying, “May this Award inspire the young people to lay their brick for Uganda by asking what they can do for their country.”