Uganda Clays Limited, a leading manufacturer of construction materials, is set to open a factory in Rwanda to take advantage of the booming construction industry.

The move comes after the company entered a joint venture deal with Rwanda Investment Enterprise Cooperation (RIEC), a local company manufacturing the same products in Rwanda—promising to invest $15 million (Frw8.1 billion).

When it begins its operations, roofing tiles, block and brick building materials as well as a wide range of roofing materials, wall and floor tiles that Rwandans have been importing from Uganda will be produced in Rwanda.

Uganda Clays’ management says they have completed feasibility studies and have chosen the site location—a 100 hectare piece of land in Kinyinya—for its factory.

"Rwanda is a paradigm of good governance in the region,” says John Wafula, Uganda Clays chief executive officer, in an interview with The New Times.

"(It’s) very organized and focused. This gives it the potential to attract foreign investment. Besides, the country is interested in investors and their system is very efficient.”

Wafula also notes that there is demand for construction in Rwanda but the current single supplier cannot meet the demand.

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