Data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast economic growth for Uganda as likely to stay in the 7% range before climbing to around 8% in 2011/12 and 2012/13 fiscal years. This is despite less demand for its products abroad and tighter global credit conditions. The Uganda Investment Authority is marketing the following investment opportunity to serve the local market, with future high prospects of exporting to the East African Community markets.
Name of Project: Sukulu fertilizer manufacturing plant
Location of project: Sukulu, Tororo district
Objective: To manufacture fertilizers (Granulated Triple Super phosphate and Sodium Tripoly Phosphate)
for agricultural use from local apatite deposits in Sukulu.
Project description: The Sukulu apatite deposits occur near the eastern town of Tororo, and have proven reserves of 230 million tonnes in the in-situ soils at grades of 13.10% P2O5.
Tororo Industrial Chemicals previously exploited the deposits in 1962 – 1978 to manufacture single super phosphate, producing 160,000 tonnes of apatite concentrate from 2.16 tonnes of soil. The phosphate is associated with iron ore, niobium and titanium, and minor quantities of thorium and uranium.
Estimated cost of investment: US$300 million
Project justification: Extensive use of soils for crop production has degraded the soils to a level that demands farmers must use fertilizers to get more yield.
Promoter's expectations
• The Sukulu Phosphate project is expected to supply cheaper fertilizers to the
local farmers, thereby enhancing export earnings.
• Job creation
• Revitalization of the Tororo-Mombasa rail line
• Project will lead to benefits such as generation of useful by products like magnetite, zircon, titanium and niobium.
For more information contact the Uganda Investment Authority.
Key contact: Issa Mukasa
Director, Investment Promotion Division
Email: imukasa@ugandainvest.com
Cc: info@ugandainvest.com
