Gov’t Failed To Support Businessman Sembuya – Bobi Wine

Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has slammed the government for failing to assist Christopher Sembuya, one of Uganda’s most successful businesspeople, in reviving his business after disasters struck.

Kyagulanyi made the remarks shortly after participating in the Buikwe district’s Kikwayi village burial of Sembuya. He died just a few weeks ago.

Sembuya recognized the complexities of doing business in Uganda and advocated for local banking, industrialization, and broadcasting.

In 1971, he co-founded the Sembule Group of Companies and was the owner of Sembule Steel Mills, the first Ugandan company to produce steel products including wire mesh and nails.

Sembuya also founded Sembule Investment Bank (now Bank of Africa Uganda), Pan World Insurance (later Lion Assurance), and Cable International Television (after debunked WBS TV).

Through Emboli Electronics Limited, the Sembule group began manufacturing products such as radio sets such as Makula, which was the first to introduce FM technology to Uganda, energy-saving bulbs, street-lighting systems, and television sets as early as 1980.

According to Kyagualnyi, Sembule was a leading brand name in East African industrialization by the year 2000.

Unfortunately, according to Kyagualanyi, Sembuya’s businesses came into financial difficulties in the late 1990s and were eventually placed into receivership.

He mentioned that his Sembule Steel Mills was taken over in 2014 after requesting unsuccessfully for a government rescue.

“It’s a pity that till his death in 2022, Mzee Sembuya was still requesting Shs 18 billion in government assistance to resuscitate his business empire,” Kyagulanyi added.

Sembuya is survived by a number of children, including Stephen Sembuya, who ran for MP Buikwe South in the 2021 elections as the NUP’s flag bearer.