President Yoweri Museveni has commissioned a $100 million (about Shs 380 billion) ethanol and extra-neutral alcohol (ENA) production plant built by PRO Industries Pte Limited in Ndibulungi Village, Luweero District, giving a major push to Uganda’s drive for agro-industrial growth and clean energy, reports Nile Post.
The President, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataha Museveni, said the investment reflected Uganda’s move away from exporting raw materials toward local processing, industrial growth and job creation.
He said processing locally grown produce was key to creating employment, adding value to agriculture and cutting down on avoidable imports. The President also assured workers and investors that the government would continue efforts to improve labour welfare and reduce the cost of major production inputs such as electricity, transport and access to finance to strengthen local industries.
Museveni stressed that industrial growth remains a cornerstone of Uganda’s economic transformation, noting that manufacturing and agro-processing offer long-term jobs and reliable markets for farmers. He also urged citizens to support the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the upcoming elections to protect gains made in industry, infrastructure and national stability.
PRO Industries Managing Director Ridhi Always said the Luweero facility is the largest ENA and ethanol plant in East Africa. She said the plant has the capacity to produce 120,000 litres of extra-neutral alcohol and 35,000 litres of ethanol per day.
She said the company had invested $100 million in the modern plant, which is already contributing to the local economy. According to her, PRO Industries works with more than 2,000 farmers in Luweero and nearby districts who supply maize, a key raw material for production.
Ms Always said Uganda is taking the lead in renewable energy and biofuels, noting that the country will require ethanol blending in all petroleum products sold locally from January 2026, in line with Vision 2040 and the Biofuels Act of 2020.
She said the policy is expected to cut Uganda’s annual petroleum import bill, estimated at about $2 billion (Shs 7.6 trillion), while reducing carbon emissions and promoting cleaner energy use.
She praised the government for maintaining a stable investment environment, saying peace, security and consistent policies have enabled PRO Industries and other investors to make long-term commitments that support farmers, create jobs and contribute to national development.
The launch of the PRO Industries ethanol plant places Luweero on the map as a growing industrial centre and highlights Uganda’s expanding role in agro-processing, renewable energy and value-added manufacturing.
