Uganda Baati @ 60 In the Eyes of Board Chairman, Dr. Alan Shonubi
By Grace Lubega
Manufacturer and supplier of building solutions giant, Uganda Baati, has launched a series of activities to mark the company’s 60 years of existence.
Launching the activities on Wednesday, Uganda Baati Board of Directors Chairperson, Dr. Alan Shonubi, said the company was founded in 1964.
“Our journey goes back to the 1960’s in Tororo as a business entity called Steel Works Company. The steel and aluminum industry was so lucrative then, with minimal competition, that demand for aluminum and steel products was greater than supply. This led to the introduction of the first steel roll machine in the company, where we manufactured and supplied different aluminum and steel products, which even included saucepans,” says Dr. Shonubi.
According to Dr. Shonubi, this went on for a while before the setback in early 1972, when the former President of Uganda, Idi Amin, ordered the expulsion of the Indians, giving the Asians 90 days to leave the country, leaving several businesses and properties to be redistributed amongst the locals.
“As events turned out, Idi Amin was overthrown, and H.E. Yoweri Museveni invited the expelled Asians to return, bringing back the vibrancy of once-booming businesses in Uganda,” adds Dr. Shonubi.
Dr. Shonubi recalls that Uganda Baati was the first in the East African region to install an ultra-modern continuous galvanizing line, a testament to “our commitment to technological innovation and excellence.”
“We became the first to introduce the ZincAL coating technology for all its roofing sheets to give the consumer the benefit of the product,” notes Dr. Shonubi.
60 Years
The celebration will be phased out into four themes during the year: Uganda in the past, community, economy, and in the future.
“We shall be collaborating with various stakeholders and engaging in various activities as we continue to tell our story, celebrate our history, and highlight our impact and contributions,” says Uganda Baati’s Head of Human Resources, Amon Aruho.
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