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Mechanical Machine Workshop

At Orb Electrical Steels in Newport (part of Cogent Power Ltd., a subsidiary of steel manufacturer Corus) a number of workshop machines became available, as they were no longer required by the business. One of the PONT engineers, who is employed at Orb, struck on the idea of shipping these to Mbale to set up a small machine shop business there, having seen on a visit that there was no such facility in Mbale. The idea was put to the PONT committee in Mbale, who endorsed it enthusiastically.

The profits from this business would augment the funds available to PONT in Mbale for the poverty relief projects. Some vocational training for young people could also be provided.

Generously, Orb offered to donate the machines to PONT and to ship them to Mbale.

In order to help us to provide as complete and viable a workshop as practical, the University of Glamorgan donated some tools and accessories, and, following an appeal on GTFM (Pontypridd’s local radio station), members of the public also donated various tools.

The PONT partnership between the NGOs and local government in Mbale has proved highly beneficial in this project. The Bungokho LC3 Sub-county council has provided a building for the workshop rent free. The building had been a workshop many years ago, though it had been stripped of most of its assets. It comprises a main workshop area 16x13m with large double external doors opening to 3.7m. There is an additional storage area, and office accommodation. There are significant external covered areas and also a concrete ramp to aid in the loading of lorries.

The machines arrived in Mbale in April 2008. During the visit to Mbale in the June the container started to be unloaded into the workshop. Not everything required had been able to be sent in the container from the UK, but, amazingly, it was found that the few items still remaining in the building were those that were unable to be sent in the container!

During the visit the engineers from the UK, together with the Ugandans who will run the workshop, planned the layout of the workshop and obtained prices for the installation of the machines and the general refurbishment of the building.

It is planned that the business will be up and running within a couple of months. Initially this will be using the manually operated, and plug in power tools. Once cash starts to come into the business then the larger machines will be installed and commissioned. This will also allow the business to grow at a manageable, sustainable rate.

It is anticipated that the next visit will take place in autumn 2008, and it is hoped that this will include people to do training in the use of the machines.