Salt miners and leaders in Katwe, Kasese district are asking the government to revamp the Lake Katwe Salt factory.
The factory was constructed in the 1970s to process the salt brine. However, construction was interrupted by wars, but the factory was completed in 1982.
It operated for less than a year and close when the salt corroded the machinery.
Miners say they had hope in 2018 when they were informed by leaders that an agreement had been signed between Uganda’s Rwenzori Salt Industries and the Chinese company Shining Star Group to revamp the salt business but ever since that period, there is no work that has taken off.
Asasio Masereka, the Katwe-Kabatoro Community Development Officer says that the salt mining business in the area is less productive due to the absence of a factory to add value and also extend employment opportunities to the locals.
John Bosco Kananura, the Katwe -Kbatoro Town Council LCIII Chairperson says over the years mining has played a significant political and economic role in the history of the area. He adds that revamping the factory would definitely add to the government coffers and perhaps be an alternative that will save many Uganda the tax burden to meet the government’s budget.
Peter Businge, a salt miner says it was fortunate that the government identified the revival of the salt factory in 2018 but there has been no progress or any communication of hope.
He believes if the factory is revived, they will have better prices for their salt unlike currently where prices are determined by the few existing buyers.
Rose Kikohera, another miner hopes that if the factory is revamped, Katwe will regain its lost economic glory. She also thinks that if a factory is established, it might help the miners acquire machinery that can aid their safety while at work.
Ham Natuhwera, the Kasese LCV Chairperson says the two investors already did exploration, and locals must be patient.
Uganda exports raw salt and imports pure sodium chloride from Kenya for millions, money that would have otherwise been kept in the country.
According to Katwe Information Tourism Centre Lake Katwe is the chief producer of salt in Uganda. It was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption about 10,000 years ago.
The lake is about 9km wide and very shallow, with the deepest point being six feet. There is a raised settlement near the lake where people from neighboring areas came to buy salt.
