Moroto, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, led by Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, has officially granted Sunbird Resources Limited a 21-year Large-Scale Mining License (LML0344) for the extraction of 8000 tonnes per day of essential limestone in Rupa Sub-County, Moroto District, within the Karamoja Sub-region.
Commencing exploration in 2015, Sunbird Resources Limited has unveiled a substantial 67 million tonnes of clinkerable limestone, positioning Uganda as a significant contributor to the cement production industry.
Sunbird Resources Ltd has entered into a partnership with West International Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed West China Cement Ltd, for this venture. Together, they are in the process of establishing a 6000 Tonnes Per Day Clinker Lime & 1 million Tonnes Per Year Cement Factory in Nadunget Sub-County, Moroto District.
The project is anticipated to generate 600 direct and 3000 indirect jobs, aligning with Uganda’s economic growth agenda, as stated by project executives.
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Ambrose Byona, Sunbird’s Managing Director, has outlined that operational tests for the Clinker factory will commence early next year, with official commissioning scheduled for July 2025.
Furthermore, mining activities and subsequent cement production are expected to result in daily royalty payments surpassing Shs160 million, significantly contributing to the consolidated fund, according to Minister Nankabirwa.
Upon completion, the cement factory aims to be the largest in Uganda, seeking import substitution by reducing the country’s reliance on importing 2.4 million tonnes of clinker annually, valued at over US$700 million. Notably, President Yoweri Museveni laid the foundation for the cement factory in September 2023.
