The Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen Caleb Akandwanaho (Rtd) popularly known by his nom de guerre – Salim Saleh has said that the local production of ceramic tiles in Uganda is a landmark stride in pushing the local content agenda.
Saleh made the comment while referring to the production of the first ceramic tiles ever made in Uganda which was manufactured by Chinese company, Goodwill (U) Ltd which is part of Namunkekera Rural Industrial Cennter.
He received a customized and autographed tile from the Nakaseke based company as a token of appreciation of his contribution to the establishment of the Goodwill (U) Ltd and driving industrialization in Kapeeka.
“This is literally the first ceramic tile ever made in Uganda. It was custom-made by Goodwill (U) Ltd as a present to me as the company autographed in Chinese my great contribution to the company’s success and a wish for me to have long healthy life,” Gen Saleh said in a statement posted on the OWC Facebook page.
Commissioned earlier this year with an initial investment worth USD 30 million, Goodwill (U) Ltd employs 1,016 Ugandan workers. The company started commercial production of ceramics this month with 92% of the materials sourced locally.
It is situated in the Namunkekera Rural Industrial Center in Kapeeka, Nakaseke district.
The factory will have two production lines capable of producing 40,000 square metres of ceramic tiles 60% of which will serve the domestic market and 40% for export.
Saleh said he was honored to receive as a token the very first tile to be manufactured in Uganda.
“I am of course very thankful for this honor from the company, but the symbolic importance of the tile is what matters more to me,” Gen Saleh said.
“The fact that the first tile is made in Namunkekera Rural Industrial Center right here in Kapeeka, using mostly locally sourced raw materials brings me great joy,” he added.
He said that the now vibrant industrial park in Kapeka played a symbolic role in the struggle to liberate Uganda and foster economic development.
Gen Saleh urged Ugandans to embrace the locally manufactured ceramic tiles which are part of the multitudes of new high quality commodities being locally manufactured.
He hailed OWC, Namunkerera Rural Industrial Center and Goodwill Ceramics Ltd for their contribution to such a development.
