Metu Zhoungtong Industries, the company that is assembling buses in Uganda, has revealed that its automobiles will each cost at least Shs400 million.
Mr. Metu Katabazi, the director of Metu Zhountong Industries, said the buses assembled in Uganda will be cheaper than the imported ones and urged the government to protect the local industry.
“Our buses assembled here will go for at least Shs400m but our people are still importing buses from abroad. We now need protection from the government because we will make loses if people leave buses here and import,” said Mr. Katabazi.
Imported buses cost between Shs400m and Shs600m, depending on the type.
Mr. Katabazi was speaking during a tour of the bus plant that is based in Namanve Industrial Park that was commissioned by President Museveni on Saturday.
The president also flagged off an assembled Zhong Tong Bus after touring the factory.
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President Museveni announced that he has offered to provide more 100 acres of land to Metu Zhountong Industries to expand the venture from assembling buses but other types of cars.
“I am very happy that this is not just an assembling industry because most of the materials are fabricated here and then the bus is assembled. They have helped demystify the making of vehicles. They have shown that making cars is not tough,” the President said.
Mr. Katabazi said their plant has the capacity of assembling 20 buses a month if given orders.
He said that he has started receiving orders for the buses but declined to reveal the destinations.
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