MPIGI — The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) has conducted an appraisal visit to Standard Wave Uganda Limited, one of the country’s leading local innovators and automotive spare parts manufacturers based in Mpigi District.
Speaking during the tour, Dr. James Kisaale, the Executive Secretary of UNCST, commended the factory’s technological strides, noting that local innovation is critical to reaching Uganda’s target of a $500 billion economy.
“I was here two weeks ago and I was amazed at what our country can do,” Dr. Kisaale said. “I want to assure Ugandans that among the millions of vehicles on our roads, there is a spare part produced right here by Mr. Ssempijja Shaffik.”
Driven by Innovation and Self-Reliance
Located in Kyabadaza, Mpigi District, Standard Wave Uganda Limited was founded in 2016 by Mr. Ssempijja Shaffik. Despite not completing ordinary-level (O-Level) education, Ssempijja began his career selling imported car spare parts from Japan and China before realizing that many of these components could be manufactured locally.
Through hands-on skills development, Ssempijja mastered spare parts production and is now committed to transferring these technical skills to other Ugandans.
Today, the manufacturer produces a wide array of automotive products, including:
– Filters: Oil and air filters
– Brake Systems: Brake pads
– Fluids & Lubricants: Engine oil and hydraulic fluids
– Body & Electrical: Side mirrors, car lights, wipers, and U-bolts
Government Support and Academia Linkages
Dr. Kisaale highlighted that the Government of Uganda—under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and through the Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in the Office of the President—continues to support indigenous industrialists like Ssempijja.
He emphasized the urgent need to bridge the gap between industrial facilities and academia, promising that UNCST will coordinate with Ugandan universities to send engineering and technical students to the facility for practical learning and knowledge transfer.
Expansion Potential and Policy Challenges
Mr. Nicholas Kaya, General Manager of Standard Wave Uganda Limited, outlined the company’s impact on job creation and technology transfer, noting that the facility currently employs 67 permanent staff and over 300 casual workers.
Sitting on 20 acres, the factory has ample space for expansion should further government partnerships materialize. Mr. Kaya expressed gratitude to the government for a UGX 10 billion capital support grant used to purchase manufacturing machinery, confirming that the funds were effectively utilized.
However, Kaya also raised critical challenges facing local manufacturers, particularly regarding raw materials and taxation:
– Raw Material Quality: Local steel quality remains inferior to imported grades from China, forcing the factory to rely on imports.
– Taxation Burden: High tax bills on raw material imports significantly increase operational costs.
– Market Protection: He urged the government to protect domestic industries from foreign dumping, safeguard national foreign exchange reserves, and address high operational overheads that shorten the lifespan of local enterprises.
Kaya concluded by reassuring the council of the factory’s rigorous quality assurance standards, thanking Dr. Kisaale and the UNCST delegation for spotlighting indigenous manufacturing capabilities to the country and the region.
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