Audio By Carbonatix
Uganda has launched its first mobile phone assembly and manufacturing plant.
The site in Namanve, east of the capital Kampala, is run by Chinese firm ENGO Holdings and will produce SIMI-branded items.
The first phase will see the plant assemble up to 2,000 feature phones (so-called "dumbphones"), 1,500 smartphones and 800 laptops per day. At a later stage it will begin manufacturing.
Smartphones will retail at $54 (£42) and feature phones at $8.
Manufacturing and job creation are growing priorities for Uganda's government, and a significant amount of the investment comes from China.
Last year, Uganda imported goods worth $1bn from China, while its exports to China were worth only $32m, according to UN data.
China is also a leading lender to Uganda, and these loans mostly fund infrastructure projects such as major highways, hydropower dams, airports and the standard gauge railway which is to link to other East African nations.
Below are pictures from inside the factory



DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
KMA to enforce standard container designs for all new structures in Kumasi from 2027
8 minutes -
“No ceremony can replace their voices” — Mahama consoles families of departed eight
8 minutes -
Two killed, seven injured in Mankessim–Accra Highway crash
14 minutes -
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urges RCC Chief Directors to strengthen decentralisation and development delivery
18 minutes -
Mahama urges reforms to honour fallen helicopter victims
23 minutes -
“His laughter still lives with us” — Widow remembers Flight Sergeant Addo Mensah at crash memorial
29 minutes -
‘No more a death sentence’: Upper West gets expanded dialysis unit after years of pain, pleadings and hope
31 minutes -
‘Life is fragile, service is sacred’ – Mahama reflects on helicopter crash victims one year on
31 minutes -
‘Greatest memorial is not stone or bronze’ – Mahama calls for reforms after helicopter crash
33 minutes -
‘Grief remains’ – Peter Anala’s family appeals for prayers one year after helicopter crash
36 minutes -
Bono East Police shut Kwame-Danso station after attack on officers during court escort
39 minutes -
Richard Ahiagbah explains NPP Democracy Under Attack protest, calls for fairness in state investigations
40 minutes -
Economic Fighters League criticises approval of 6 mining leases, calls for bigger state stake in Ghana’s gold
45 minutes -
Ghana has not honoured ‘Departed 8’ enough in galamsey fight – Ashigbey
51 minutes -
Mahama assures helicopter crash families of continued national support one year on
56 minutes