KAMPALA, Uganda — State Minister for Privatisation and Investment, Hon. Amina Mukalazi, has commended Modern Laminates Limited for setting a strong pace in sustainability, innovation and regional market expansion.
Mukalazi made the remarks during a factory monitoring visit in which she assessed the company’s production capacity, employment opportunities, export potential and challenges facing manufacturers.
She praised Modern Laminates Limited for its innovative approach, diversified product portfolio and commitment to circular economy models, saying the company is positioning itself as a reliable source of resilient and traceable fibre inputs for packaging and specialty applications across East Africa.
“At MMP Industrial Park in Buikwe, I engaged Mr. Dhruv Thummar of Modern Laminates Limited, alongside park directors Mr. Akash Dobaria and Mr. Jay Patel. I commend their innovation relying on bamboo plants, which are genetically developed here in Uganda, demonstrating the potential for sustainable local value addition,” Mukalazi said.
Mukalazi was accompanied by Diana Mutasingwa, the Buikwe District Woman Member of Parliament and Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President.
She applauded manufacturers for increasingly using locally sourced raw materials, saying this has contributed to improving the quality and competitiveness of Ugandan-made products.
According to Mukalazi, strengthening domestic production is critical to creating jobs, increasing exports and reducing Uganda’s dependence on imported products.
The minister described Modern Laminates Limited’s US$90 million investment as a clear indication that Uganda’s industrialisation agenda is moving in the right direction, particularly in expanding manufacturing capacity and creating employment opportunities.
Major paper and packaging producer
Modern Laminates Limited is a major Ugandan manufacturing company specialising in paper and packaging products.
The company has an installed paper production capacity of 400 tonnes per day (TPD) and is a significant local employer, supporting hundreds of permanent employees as well as regional contractors.
The company also contributes to import substitution, reportedly replacing approximately US$100 million worth of imported paper products annually in Uganda.
Its manufacturing and distribution network extends across strategic locations in Central and Eastern Uganda, allowing it to serve a growing domestic and regional market.
As Uganda moves towards a circular economy and tighter environmental standards, Modern Laminates Limited has increasingly focused on balancing large-scale production with sustainable innovation.
The company produces a wide range of paper and packaging products that support packaging operations across East Africa. It has also invested in new-generation machinery aimed at maximising resource efficiency while improving production performance.
Positioning Uganda as a regional supplier
Modern Laminates Limited is also positioning itself as a major regional supplier of bamboo pulp, while seeking to strengthen its presence in the tissue and packaging markets across Africa.
The company says its focus goes beyond producing pulp and paper, with efforts aimed at contributing to the development of a circular bio-economy in the region.
Through innovation in specialty grades and packaging solutions, Modern Laminates is seeking to address changing market demands while strengthening Uganda’s position as a manufacturing hub.
Its commitment to lifecycle-based sourcing, technological adoption and resource efficiency is also expected to enhance operational efficiency and environmental compliance.
The company’s expanding regional network and ability to adapt to changing market trends, according to the minister, demonstrate the resilience and potential of Uganda’s manufacturing sector.
Mukalazi’s visit comes as the government continues to promote local value addition, industrialisation, employment creation and export growth as key drivers of Uganda’s economic transformation.
