Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Friday launched his country's first electronics manufacturing and assembling plant in Namanve.

The launch comes after the government signed an agreement with Chinese mobile phone manufacturer, SIMI techlonogies, to promote the manufacturing of ICT electronics in the East African country.

The factory is expected to run three production lines, each with a daily production capacity of 2000 feature phones, 1500 smart phones, 800 laptops, 2000 chargers, 4000 USB cables and 4000 sets of earphones.

The plant is expected to employ more than 400 Ugandans.

"I am very happy with the Chinese solidarity with Uganda and Africa. Uganda is moving very well, the economy has grown to $35 billion using the normal method of calculating GDP,"  President Museveni said.

"We are going to have a reduction in the importation of phones. The message I want to send to Ugandans today is to buy the products made in Uganda for the growth, development and betterment of our country," said State Minister for Investment and Privatization, Evelyn Anite.

President Museveni pledged to create a conducive environment for the factory to thrive, as well as lobby the East African region to embrace its products.

Source(s): Ugandan Presidency