New Hima Cement Plant Nears Completion

Kasese, Uganda. 24/06/2010: Construction works on the new Hima Cement Rwenzori plant which is expected to double the company’s production capacity from 350,000 tons to 850,000 tons is nearing completion. The new plant is expected to be commissioned later in October.

 

 

When completed, the plant, built at a cost of $ 108 million, will add new capacity which will go a long way in meeting local demand thus effectively moving Uganda from being a nett importer of cement.

 

Mr. David Njoroge, the General Manager Hima Cement said, “Work at the new plant is near completion and the new kiln is fully up and running, capable of producing clinker, the raw material that produces cement. Later in October, we expect full production to commence”

 

He added that apart from meeting local demand, the new plant will also serve the emerging markets of Sothern Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and eastern DR Congo.  “With Hima Cement increased capacity and also other new investments coming into the sector, Uganda will no longer need to import cement because there will be enough capacity to meet local demand and also supply the emerging markets. We expect that this will save the country in excess of $1 million in foreign exchange annually” Njoroge said.

 

Apart from adding new capacity, the new plant will increase employment for technical staff by 100 people directly and indirectly further boosting the economy of Kasese and Hima town where the plants are located. 

To mitigate the effects of climate change, Hima Cement has been in the forefront of several initiatives aimed at conserving the environment. The company has been substituting heavy fuel oil with coffee and rice husks for burning of kiln which has greatly reduced carbon emissions. Through the company’s Green schools initiative, Hima trained school children on tree planting and has planted over 120,000 trees in schools countrywide. Hima has also moved to rehabilitate limestone quarries in Kasese with over 1,000,000 trees planted.

 

Apart from environment Hima Cement is also involved in community initiatives in education, health and sanitation, shelter and providing bursaries to needy students in Kasese.

 

For clarifications, please contact Martha Chemutai on 0782405210