Government has secured a total of 2,900 acres of land across districts in northern Uganda to set up industrial parks.
This will form part of government’s plan to set up 25 factories in different parts of the country.
The team from the Investments ministry and its investment arm, the Uganda Investments Authority (UIA), secured 511 acres of land from Nebbi, Madi-Okollo 515, and Yumbe1,200, Oyam 200, and Pader another 500 acres.
The team was led by Investments minister Evelyn Anite, and included UIA director general Robert Mukiza, and board chairman Morrison Rwakakamba.
Ms Anite, while receiving the land in Yumbe said she was working on President Museveni’s directive to secure land to establish industrial parks. “This land being offered to the government is for the good of the people. I thank the people and the leaders of Nebbi district for listening to the President’s appeal for land to put in an industrial park,” Ms Anite said.
Last week, the government secured another 620 acres of land in Kisoro District where they explored the linkage between industry and tourism.
Ms Anite, on behalf of government, returned on Tuesday 12 acres of land in Mbarara Industrial Park to Gatsby Club, a consortium of small-scale and medium enterprise entrepreneurs in Mbarara city. The ceremony was attended by several other leaders.
The land in question had been taken over by the East African Development Bank, when the owners, Gatsby Club, defaulted on a Shs2.5b loan. But in 2019, UIA intervened and cleared the bank loan.
Following the presidential directive to establish 25 industrial parks evenly across the country, UIA has been moving across the country soliciting land for industrial parks.
The UIA director general said the agency is quickly going to do feasibility studies for industries to be set up in the area and fast track infrastructural amenities. “We’ll immediately get to work to determine the industries to be set up here and also the required infrastructure,” Mukiza said.
District Council chairperson Emmanuel Urombi, Resident District Commissioner Robert Abak, Chief Administrative Officer David Wambura, UPDF’s National Enterprise Corporation deputy managing director, Maj Gen Innocent Oula, and other district leaders accompanied by the area MP, handed over the land at Omvoru Town Council.
It was handed over to the State Minister of Investment and privatization, Evelyn; UIA Board Chairman, Morrison Rwakakamba; UIA Director General, Robert Mukiza, and UPDF’s National Enterprise Corporation Deputy Managing Director, Maj Gen Innocent Oula.
Mr Urombi said the people of Nebbi and the West Nile region need income-generating activities and investments that create jobs.
“Our people are yearning for development and are ready to do what it takes to attract investments and industries in the area to make money and also create jobs for our children,” he said.
Mr Urombi added, “This land measuring 511 acres is wholeheartedly given for the spirit of building industries and we shall always support government initiatives meant to get our people out of poverty.”