By Musa Mbogo
Uganda Clays Limited (UCL) has announced a 10-year strategic plan aimed at transforming the company into a modern, digital, and sustainable leader in the construction industry.
The new plan comes as the company marks over 75 years of shaping Uganda’s building landscape, from the iconic Mangalore and Marseille roofing tiles to the recently introduced Gari and Roko half-bricks.
The company says it is now combining its long-standing heritage with new technology and design to meet the changing demands of the construction sector. According to them, the strategy is anchored on three guiding principles, of reliability, partnership, and innovation, which are expected to define its next phase of growth.
The company has expanded production at its Kajjansi and Kamonkoli factories to guarantee consistent quality and timely delivery, while continuing to supply durable, fire-resistant, and sound-insulating products trusted by schools, hospitals, and government institutions.
They note that housing demand in East Africa continues to grow, and that innovation is key to staying relevant in a competitive market. To this end, Uganda Clays has invested in research and development to create products that meet modern architectural trends, eco-friendly practices, and vertical construction designs.
Part of this transformation involves introducing new product colours such as coffee brown, brick red, red orange, and red black, which have become popular with architects and homeowners looking for modern, eye-catching finishes.
Uganda Clays has also embraced digital communication and marketing, using platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to engage with customers and partners, saying this digital shift will make it easier for customers to access information, order products, and receive 24/7 support online.
“Imagine ordering a roof from a mobile phone and receiving 24/7 support at the touch of a button. The company is preparing to deliver exactly that experience,” reads statement from the company.
In addition, Uganda Clays is strengthening its sustainability agenda, now being involved in quarry restoration, tree planting, and ethical clay extraction to reduce its environmental footprint. Automation in production has also helped to increase efficiency, lower costs, and improve shareholder returns.
To support the government’s Buy Ugandan Build Ugandan (BUBU) campaign, Uganda Clays has expanded its distribution networks to make locally made products more accessible and affordable. It also collaborates with contractors, developers, and designers to develop customer-inspired products like the Gari brick.
Beyond business, Uganda Clays continues to play a role in community development through medical camps, blood donation drives, and health awareness programmes on malaria and hydrocephalus. These initiatives, they say, are part of the company’s belief that business success should go hand in hand with social responsibility.
Despite global supply chain disruptions and shifting customer preferences, Uganda Clays remains confident in its direction. Its 10-year strategy, backed by research, technology, and customer partnerships, aims to position it as a one-stop shop for all construction needs in the region. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
