The Katwe Salt Mining Factory, located in Kasese District, is set to undergo a much-needed revival, with the government, through the Uganda National Mining Company (UNMC), at the forefront of efforts to restore its operations. The factory, originally established in the 1970s to process salt brine, faced numerous challenges, including war disruptions that delayed its completion until 1982.
Unfortunately, the factory’s operations were short-lived. Within a year of opening, the machinery was rendered inoperable due to the corrosive nature of the salt, leading to its closure. Now, the government has shifted its focus back to the factory, as part of a broader strategy to combat the country’s growing unemployment rates and stimulate economic growth.
James Byagaba, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at UNMC, led a team of board members on a recent tour of the Katwe Salt Factory and Kilembe Mines. He expressed optimism about the factory’s untapped potential, noting that with the right investments and a strategic approach, the factory could become a pillar of the local economy once again. Byagaba emphasized that it is crucial to mobilize resources and take necessary actions to ensure the factory’s revival.
Local leaders are equally hopeful. John Bosco Kananura, the LCIII Chairperson of Katwe-Kabatoro Town Council, explained that salt mining is the lifeblood of the community, with nearly 99% of the population of 15,000 relying on the industry for their livelihoods. Kananura believes that the revitalization of the factory would provide much-needed job opportunities and would spur development across the entire region.
Salt miners like Peter Businge are cautiously optimistic about the government’s plans. Businge acknowledged that while the revival efforts were initially identified back in 2018, little progress has been made since. He hopes that with the factory’s reopening, miners will benefit from more competitive prices, as the current market is controlled by a handful of players, leaving local miners at a disadvantage.
For the people of Kasese, the revival of the Katwe Salt Mining Factory represents more than just an industrial project—it’s a chance for sustainable development and improved livelihoods. If successful, this initiative could not only rejuvenate the salt industry but also provide a long-term solution to the economic challenges faced by the community.
