Hima Cement Surpasses 50% Biomass Fuel Use in Major Sustainability Milestone
KAMPALA, April 30, 2025 — Hima Cement has announced that over 50% of its fuel consumption now comes from renewable biomass, a landmark achievement in Uganda’s industrial transition toward clean energy.
The announcement was made during the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals (UCEM) Energy Convention, where David Mugagga, the company’s Head of Regulatory Affairs, highlighted how agricultural waste like coffee husks, palm kernels, rice husks, and sawdust now power the company’s cement kilns.
“Biomass has become a critical part of our energy portfolio. We’ve significantly reduced our reliance on heavy fuel oil,” said Mugagga. “We’re not just burning waste — we’re creating value through community-led circular energy systems.”
Hima Cement’s biomass and co-processing department is tasked with sourcing alternative fuels while building partnerships to turn non-hazardous waste into usable industrial energy. The company is licensed to use such waste for energy production, aligning with corporate clients looking to meet their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets.
Community-Driven Sustainability
The company’s sustainability strategy includes empowering local farmers. In 2016, Hima Cement distributed over 10 million coffee seedlings, supporting income generation while ensuring future fuel sources through the coffee husks. “Our model places the customer, the community, and the country at the center,” Mugagga emphasized.
Backed by Sarrai Group’s Broader Green Vision
As a subsidiary of the Sarrai Group, Hima Cement benefits from group-wide synergy in renewable energy initiatives. Mugagga referenced the group’s SM Hydro project, a clean power contributor to Uganda’s national grid, as an example of shared commitment to sustainable industrialization.
“Whether it’s biomass or hydropower, we learn from each other. Our diversity as a group fuels innovation,” he noted.
Supporting Uganda’s Energy Transition Plan
The milestone aligns with Uganda’s Energy Transition Plan, unveiled at COP28, which seeks to scale up renewable energy sources like solar, hydro, and geothermal while phasing out fossil fuel dependence.
Hon. Sidronious Okaasai Opolot, the State Minister for Energy, praised such industrial efforts, noting, “Global trends and climate realities demand cleaner energy systems. Uganda is embracing that challenge.”
Call for Regulatory Innovation
Mugagga also urged policymakers to establish an energy regulatory sandbox, similar to the fintech sandbox launched by the Bank of Uganda in 2021. This, he argued, would enable innovators to pilot clean energy models under a supportive, supervised framework.
Quoting his grandfather’s chess advice, he closed his remarks with a challenge to the sector: “Don’t settle for a good move — find a great one.”
The UCEM convention brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to shape Uganda’s energy future — with Hima Cement now firmly positioned as a trailblazer in sustainable industrial practices.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2Cv4aC1McE
