Two Industry Giants Engage in High-Level Discussions to Capitalize on Oil and Gas Sector Opportunities in Albertine Region
In a move that signals growing confidence in Uganda’s industrial capacity and oil sector development, Roofings Group and Threeways Shipping Services (G) Ltd have initiated high-level business discussions following the recent groundbreaking of Threeways’ ambitious Hoima Inland Terminal facility.
Historic Factory Visit Opens Business Relations Dialogue
On June 18th, 2025, Threeways Shipping Services leadership, led by founder Oscar Baitwa, visited Roofings Group’s second manufacturing facility at the state-of-the-art Namanve Rolling Mills for an exclusive factory tour and business exploration meeting. The visit came just days after Threeways’ groundbreaking ceremony for their pioneering inland terminal in Hoima, setting the stage for potential collaboration opportunities as both companies eye the burgeoning oil and gas sector.
The visit began with a showcase of Roofings Group’s impressive 25-year journey, featuring a documentary highlighting the company’s evolution under the leadership of founder Dr. Sikander Lalani. The presentation underscored Roofings Group’s position as the region’s largest steel manufacturer, producing approximately 650 tonnes annually with plans for significant capacity expansion.
Complementary Strengths Spark Interest in Collaboration
Speaking during the visit, Oscar Baitwa, founder of Threeways Shipping Services, expressed admiration for Roofings Group’s manufacturing capabilities, noting the potential for complementary business relations. “It seems we are in different worlds, but worlds that can perfectly complement each other,” Baitwa observed after witnessing the sophisticated manufacturing processes at the Namanve facility.
Mr. Stuart Mwesigwa, Corporate Affairs Manager at Roofings Group, outlined the potential for business collaboration, particularly in light of Threeways’ Hoima expansion. “Threeways Shipping Services (G) Ltd putting up an inland terminal is not an easy thing, and we recognize the vision behind this investment,” Mwesigwa stated. “For all the steel and construction materials needed in the Albertine region, we hope Bro-Group will consider prioritizing Roofings Group as a key supplier.”
Exploring Oil Sector Collaboration Opportunities
The business discussions come at a crucial time as both companies explore ways to serve Uganda’s expanding oil and gas sector. Roofings Group has already established a presence in Hoima and sees the region as a critical growth area, while Threeways’ new inland terminal will provide essential logistics and warehousing services for the sector.
“There’s significant activity in the region where Roofings Group has been tapped to provide materials, and we see substantial business opportunities in the Albertine Region,” Mwesigwa explained during the discussions. “Our goal is to explore partnerships that can help us tap into all business requiring steel and construction materials from government, private sector, NGOs, and various organizations.”
Impressive Manufacturing Capabilities
Roofings Group’s credentials as a manufacturing powerhouse were evident during the comprehensive factory tour. The company operates as one of Uganda’s largest taxpayers, contributing UGX 9.3 billion to social security in 2024 alone, with total value addition reaching UGX 336.6 billion in 2024. Their export contribution of UGX 254.4 billion represents 2.8% of Uganda’s exports to the East African Community.
The tour showcased both legacy and cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities, from older machinery setups to newer, technologically advanced sections designed to increase output and efficiency. Visitors witnessed the comprehensive production processes for HDPE pipes, roofing materials, round bars, TMX 500C, tubes, and recycling materials.
World-Class Namanve Rolling Mills Facility
Roofings Group’s second manufacturing plant at Namanve showcased impressive recent investments including a world-class Cold Rolling Mill Complex valued at US$ 100 million, representing the first of its kind in Africa. This facility has propelled production capacities to over 608,400 tons per annum, with accumulated Group investment reaching US$ 500 million and creating 2,200 jobs by the end of 2024.
The company’s commitment to local content development emerged as a key discussion point, as both organizations expressed interest in prioritizing Ugandan workforce development and skills transfer in any future business relations.
Threeways’ Strategic Positioning
During the visit, Threeways presented their comprehensive logistics capabilities through video presentations showcasing their equipment handling, warehousing, airfreight, and specialized transportation services. The highlight was their Hoima Inland Terminal project, featuring movement and storage of cargo, customs hub operations, and refrigeration facilities.
The Hoima facility represents a significant infrastructure investment spanning 25-30 acres with comprehensive amenities including:
- Paved 3,870 square meters of operational space
- Recreation and social amenities
- Training complex and administration block
- Clinic and sewage treatment facilities
- Bonded and non-bonded warehouses
- Fuel storage and service stations
- Container storage and lay-down areas
Local Content and Sustainability Focus
Both companies demonstrated strong commitment to local content development and environmental sustainability. The visit concluded with Roofings Group presenting tree seedlings to the Threeways team, symbolizing their shared commitment to environmental stewardship and climate change mitigation.
Mr. Stuart Mwesigwa highlighted Roofings Group’s extensive internship programs and capacity development initiatives, noting that their alumni now serve as ambassadors in major companies including Total and CNOOC. “We believe working together will create value for both companies while promoting Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) initiatives and economic growth,” he emphasized.
Future Business Relations Framework
The discussions during the visit explored multiple areas for potential collaboration:
- Possible supplier agreements for steel and construction materials
- Shared commitment to local content development
- Joint support for Buy Uganda Build Uganda initiatives
- Collaborative approaches to serving oil and gas sector requirements
- Mutual support for sustainable development practices
The Corporate Affairs Manager highlighted Roofings Group’s extensive internship programs and capacity development initiatives, noting that their alumni now serve in major companies including Total and CNOOC. “We believe exploring business relations with TWS could create value for both companies while promoting Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) initiatives and economic growth,” he emphasized.
Industry Impact and Future Prospects
This business exploration dialogue between two of Uganda’s leading companies in their respective sectors signals growing confidence in the country’s industrial capacity and oil sector potential. As Threeways establishes its inland terminal as a logistics hub for the Albertine region, and Roofings Group expands its manufacturing capabilities through its second facility at Namanve, both companies are positioning themselves to potentially collaborate in serving emerging market opportunities.
The discussions also demonstrate how established Ugandan companies can explore mutually beneficial business relations to capture opportunities in emerging sectors while maintaining their commitment to local content development and sustainable business practices.
Takeaways
The Roofings Group-Threeways Shipping Services business discussions represent more than exploratory talks – they embody a shared vision of how Ugandan industrial leaders can explore collaboration opportunities to drive national economic growth. As both companies leverage their complementary strengths to potentially serve Uganda’s expanding oil and gas sector, they are setting a precedent for how local enterprises can engage in meaningful business dialogue to capture emerging opportunities while building sustainable, inclusive economic development.
With Roofings Group’s manufacturing excellence demonstrated at their Namanve facility and Threeways’ logistics expertise showcased through their Hoima terminal project, any future collaboration between these companies could play a significant role in Uganda’s industrial transformation and the successful development of the Albertine region’s economic potential.
