President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met today at State House – Entebbe with a group of investors from Strand Hanson Limited, a London-based firm.
During the meeting, the President accepted their plan to mine lithium in the Ntungamo district, which would be utilized to produce electric vehicle batteries locally.
He went on to tell the investors that Uganda is already producing electric vehicles but is still importing batteries, noting that this is adding extra expenditures to the country’s budget.
He also promised them that there would be a ready market for the lithium batteries.
“I welcome and support you; please proceed with the battery production.” “We can connect you with Kiira Motors, which manufactures our electric vehicles, and have them buy the batteries from you,” President Museveni stated.
The President also told the investors that the mining license will be finalized as quickly as possible so that the lithium mining process could begin.
“The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development will handle the mining license for you.” “I want you to connect mining and processing,” he stated.
The investors will mine lithium and produce electric batteries in collaboration with a locally based flexible mining and laboratories firm.
Mr. Johnny Kirkl, a representative of Strand Hanson Limited, informed the President that the mining site in Ntungamo has already been located, and that all that is needed to begin the project is a mining license.
“With your permission, I’d like to look into the possibility of opening a factory to manufacture batteries instead of taking lithium out of the country.” “We should export the batteries after they are manufactured here,” he remarked.
