President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and his Kenyan counterpart, William Samoei Ruto, on Sunday jointly inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony of the USD 500 million Devki Mega Steel Plant in Kayoro village, Osukuru County, Tororo District.

The plant, a vertically integrated steel facility developed by Kenyan industrialist Dr. Narendra Raval of the Devki Group, is expected to employ 15,000 Ugandans at its Tororo and Mbarara sites when operations begin.

Dr. Raval noted that most jobs would come from the integrated steel operations and associated activities, supported by prior investments in Tororo, Mbarara, and the upcoming Kabale Iron Ore refinery.

Placing the project within a broader historical context, President Museveni highlighted Africa’s long history of exploitation and economic injustice. He observed that for more than 500 years, the continent has lost value through the slave trade, colonial systems, and modern economic practices that extract raw materials without adding value.

“The liberation involves ending the long-standing trend of exporting African minerals and jobs,” Museveni said. “At full operationalization, we shall be one step closer to reversing the squandering of Africa’s resources, human, mineral, jobs, and foreign exchange.”

President Museveni also announced that Dr. Raval plans to launch another major iron ore project in Kabale, which is expected to create over 16,000 jobs, further expanding industrial opportunities across Uganda. He urged Ugandans not to hinder investors with compensation disputes, assuring that the government would manage necessary payments.

“The man is going to invest USD 500 million here, so please don’t bother him about money for compensation. The government will handle that,” he stressed.

President Ruto said the new steel plant will provide employment opportunities for youth, strengthen regional supply chains, and help East Africa achieve self-sufficiency. He also praised President Museveni for promoting regional integration within the East African Community (EAC), noting that cooperative regional policies create an enabling environment for projects like Devki Steel.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, described the Mega Steel Project as a key milestone for East Africa and evidence of deepening industrial integration across the region.