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By Timothy Eodu
“We can’t wait for Karamoja to Develop” phrase has been for long used in various parts of the country for different reasons. This was due to the region’s social and economic status that most termed cruel, “unreachable” or Hard-to-Reach and backward.
Several interventions have been implemented in this side of the country to uplift this status, with development partners injecting billions while government took a slow but powerful stride that would later overturn the statement, “We can’t wait for Karamoja to develop” to “Karamoja will Develop Faster.”
A 2025 airborne survey of the Karamoja region, conducted by Xcalibur Airborne Geophysics, identified over 380 high-potential mineral zones, confirming significant deposits of gold, over 300 million tons of limestone/marble, rare earth elements, copper, and iron ore. The €20 million project produced over 2,000 detailed maps aimed at attracting investment.
With this survey done, data readily available, potential investors started flooding into the region for possible investments, including YAOBAI International Holding Limited. Fast forward, government invested in upgrading the road infrastructures, Soroti-Moroto, Moroto-Nakapiripirit-Mbale and extending high voltage stable power line to run possible factories.
By 2020, Sunbelt Mining Group Ltd, a UGX 50 billion marble processing factory and mining company based in Nanyidik village, Rupa Sub-County, Moroto District, was commissioned and remains a key player in Karamoja’s industrial sector, utilizing a 3.3 sq km area for mining and producing marble slabs, with significant investment from Chinese entrepreneurs.
Few years later, in 2026, another factory, Yaobai clinker factory Moroto was also commissioned; a significant milestone in which the region starts to take pride in as it ends Uganda’s long years of reliance on imported clinker.
Addressing stakeholders at the launch on 24th April, 2026 in Nadunget Moroto, President Yoweri Museveni lamented that Karamoja may soon surpass other regions in the country in terms of development.
“if some of these regions are not very careful, Karamoja is coming for them and may be even better. It is just a matter of time as investors keep coming,” the president said.
He added that Karamoja’s mineral potential has not yet been tapped, encouraging more investors to take up the opportunities in the region. The president said the partnership with China will enable Uganda to do a lot because it (China) is encouraging it’s companies to invest in Uganda.
He said another Cement factory being built in Katikekile Sub-County, Moroto that will also soon be commissioned is a living testament that Karamoja now is going to move so fast because of the vast raw materials it possesses. The president said this will attract more investments capable of steering the region’s advancement.
To ensure ease of transportation and access, the President said roads are going to be worked on especially Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong-karenga, Soroti-Amuria-Abim-Kotido and most of the security roads to be improved. He said this will facilitate trade and ease access to products being produced in the region.
Mr. Fan Xuecheng, charge d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda thanked the president for the strategic guidance and cooperation with the Chinese government. He said this benchmark of the Moroto plant demonstrates a strong commitment for improved production in the world. Mr. Fang said this will promote the Buy Uganda Build Uganda-BUBU initiative but also attract foreign exchange through exports, which will intern improve livelihoods.
Mr. Zang Jiewen chairman board of China west cement ltd said under the presidents visionary leaders of the East Africa Union, Uganda will lead in the integration of investments as well. He said once fully completed, this investment will revolutionarize Uganda’s industrial growth and end the over reliance on imported products.
Hon. Peter Lokeris, the Karamoja affairs minister reminded the president that he swore to tackle the Karamoja issue when he had just been sworn in as president in 1986. He said since then, a lot has transformed in the region including the factory being launched.
He said the president has been mobilizing resources for Karamoja development from extending high voltage power, termacking roads among other initiatives that have enabled the current investments.
Minister of Energy and Mineral development Ruth Nankabirwa said the President’s directive to ban exportation of Uganda’s raw material has greatly been positive to attracting investors in the country. She said if it was not for the small pockets of insecurity in Karamoja, this type of investments could have been more than what’s being launched.
Vise President Rtd. Maj. Jessica Alupa thanked the president for creating a conducive investment climate that has allowed these developments to take place. The vise President said it’s through the President’s directives that Karamoja has come this far and as such; jobs, investments and skills opportunities will be brought to the local populations and the country at large.
With Karamoja’s mineral potential still barely untapped, the region stands out as Uganda’s next investment hub, not only in Minerals, but also Agriculture. The region has very fertile soils and vast lands that support large scale farming. It also has various tourism sports such as Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Matheniko-Bokora Game Reserve and Kidepo National Game Park. These are suitable for hospitality investments as tourism is also picking up in the region.
Karamoja’s Investment Profile (Click for Details).
