HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The late Hasmukh Kanji Patel, who was the chairman, Tororo Cement, has been termed as a true patriot.
Patel, popularly known as Hasu was the chairman of Tororo Cement. He died on August 29, 2024, after a short illness, according to his family and Tororo Cement management.
Speaking during a prayer service held in his memory at State Lodge Nakasero, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni emphasised that the teachings of Jesus promote unity among different faiths and expressed discontent over divisions among religions.
He referenced the parable of the Good Samaritan, saying, “Jesus taught that we shall know them by their fruits, not by their labels.”
He said business of Christians versus Muslims versus Hindus should not be such a big issue. Hasu was doing the work of God. You don’t have to be a Christian to be appreciated by God.
The President noted that many people who identify as Christians or Muslims often retain traditional beliefs.
“98% of those who say they are Christians and Muslims are actually traditional believers. Holiness is in the actions of people.”
Celebrating the accomplishments of the Patel family, President Museveni remarked, “You are hard workers. I don’t buy the idea of people who claim to be Christians but don’t work.”
He praised their successful management of Tororo Cement and their plans to build a factory in Karamoja, projecting an annual income of $900 million.
President Museveni also encouraged Ugandans to emulate Patel family’s disciplined approach to business, saying they are a good example of hard-work constructive spending.
During the service, which was led by Bishop Joshua Lwere, and held on Saturday 21st September, 2024, Maama Janet, the First Lady, expressed deep condolences to the family of the late Chairman and thanked them for their contribution towards the development of Uganda.
“This day is one we had to fulfil to honour a friend’s family who stood with us in life. In death, we must also stand with his family to give our condolences,” she said.
She said she first knew him in a letter he was writing to the President saying there was work he wanted to do in Uganda. “He asked that this work be identified by the First Lady because he had been watching her speak about God, always moving with the Bible. I wondered how someone I didn’t know could follow my work to that extent.”
The First Lady went ahead and narrated that she met Mr. Patel in person for the first time during a visit to Tororo Cement last year where he informed her about his health issues.
“Their willingness to serve and give a significant percentage of their earnings to the weak, orphans, and the disabled is commendable. When I told them about our children’s village in Masulita, they willingly helped to rebuild and rehabilitate it. They have been providing wheelchairs, solar lamps, exercise books, and much more.”
Sam Kutesa, the Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was a friend to the late Patel, recounted his first encounter with the Patel family in the 1990s.
“At that time, our government had decided on privatising industries that weren’t functioning. Among the industries being privatised were Hima Cement and Tororo Cement. Prior to this, all cement in our country was being imported, primarily from Tanga Cement in Tanzania or Bamburi Cement in Kenya.”
He explained that many bidders sought to acquire Tororo Cement merely to resell it, but the Patel family, through Mombasa Cement, presented a genuine plan for development.
“That’s how the government gave it to them. Since they took over in the 1990s, they have not only revived it but also expanded it, and now it is still running,” Kutesa noted.
“Hasu took over when his father and uncles passed away. Beyond being a good businessman, he was a philanthropist. He didn’t only work here in Uganda; in Mombasa, he was feeding the poor, building schools, and even sought to establish a facility for the disabled—the largest in Africa.”
On behalf of the Patel family, Manish Varsani, shared heartfelt memories of his uncle, who dedicated his life to uplifting the most vulnerable in society.
“My uncle was not just my family; he was a friend and mentor. He devoted himself to helping orphans, widows, the disabled, and those in need of medical assistance. He never considered religion or tribe; his heart was open to all,” he remarked.
He also announced that in honour of his late uncle’s legacy, they will set up a $25 million hospital in Luzira.
Tororo Cement is one of Uganda’s largest industries, manufacturing about 1.8 million metric tonnes of cement per annum. Their other products include galvanised iron, steel products (iron sheets, barbed wires) and nails.
The 58-year-old business mogul also owned the Mombasa Cement Company and he was always among the industrialists President Museveni hailed for their enormous contribution towards the economic revitalization of Uganda
