President Yoweri Museveni is today set to commission 10 Modern Group factories in Uganda worth $200 million (Shs712.6 billion). Located in Buikwe District, the factories employ about 3,800 Ugandans and form one of the largest industrial projects built in the country over the last decade.
The facilities include Modern Distillers (2017), Modern Gas (2018), Modern Aluminium (2019), Modern Organic Fertiliser (2019), Modern Sanitiser (2020), Modern Tiles (2020), Lamborghini Drinks & Beverages/Modern Spirits (2022), Modern Power (2023), and Kidera Sugar (2023), which will become operational within two months.
State Minister for Investment and Privatisation Evelyn Anite described the project as a “game-changer.” She praised Ashish Monpara, the proprietor of Modern Group, for building industries without demanding exemptions. “Unlike many investors who seek tax breaks and land, he only asked for government recognition. He pays taxes, employs Ugandans, and offers long-term contracts so staff can contribute to NSSF. He is people-centred,” she said.
Anite explained that Monpara almost abandoned Uganda after fraudsters extorted money from him and sold him land in wetlands against government policy. “He was close to giving up, but he chose to stay and invest,” she said.
Monpara first came to Uganda in 2015 with his father. By December that year, he had laid the foundation of Modern Distillers, his first plant. “We have since built 10 industrial verticals, investing more than $700 million. Our import substitution value stands at $100 million. Despite rapid expansion, we never compromised on product quality,” he said.
The group has won multiple awards for excellence. These include the Consumer’s Choice Awards for 2022 and 2023, the East Africa Brand Quality Award for Aluminium and Tiles (2022), and the Manufacturing Excellence Award for Modern Tiles. In April 2023, Uganda secured the Best FDI Award at the Global Investment Awards in the UAE, thanks to the Modern Tiles Plant. It marked the first win for Uganda in the 12-year history of the awards.
Monpara said the group aims to grow both local and export markets. “We not only earn foreign exchange for Uganda but also promote Uganda’s image abroad. Modern Group became the first company in the world to sign a production deal with Lamborghini. We will make Lamborghini products here and export them to the US and Asia,” he said.
The company continues to expand. In Buyende District, Kidera Sugar is setting up a sugar refinery and a 50MW power plant. Plans are also in place for a steel and iron ore facility, along with a pharmaceutical vaccine plant.
“In the next three years, we will invest another $500 million, bringing our total to $1.2 billion in just 10 years,” Monpara said.