Overview:
Uganda's investment head, Col. Edith Nakalema, praised Japan's major economic support, especially for infrastructure like the Nile bridge, in a meeting with Ambassador Takuya.
KAMPALA, Uganda — Col. Edith Nakalema, the head of Uganda’s State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), met Thursday with Japanese Ambassador to Uganda Sasayama Takuya, praising Japan’s significant contributions to the Ugandan economy, particularly in infrastructure.
Nakalema hosted Takuya, along with First Secretary Hiroyuki Hayashi and Kan Yamamoto, the general manager of Sumitomo Corp., at the unit’s offices in Kampala.
During the courtesy call, Nakalema told her guests that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recognizes the role foreign missions, like Japan’s, play in promoting investment opportunities in Uganda.
“It is therefore our honour to have you visit us this afternoon and we are grateful that you are open to discussing how we can make Uganda even friendlier to Japanese investors,” Nakalema said.
She noted that the president established SHIPU in May 2023 specifically to expedite government services for investors.
Nakalema highlighted the infrastructure cooperation between the two nations.
“We thank the government of Japan for the support towards the construction of the spectacular and modern bridge across the Nile in Jinja,” she said. “In terms of business, I’m aware that in 2024, Uganda imported about USD $449.15 million worth of goods from Japan. This volume of transactions signifies the strong economic relations between the two countries.”
Nakalema added that Uganda is trying to boost Japanese investments through strategic initiatives, including the Uganda National Day in Japan and the World Expo 2025.
She also noted that meeting with the ambassador is “instrumental in assisting our unit to strengthen its role to coordinate Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) so as to expeditiously resolve any unnecessary delays experienced by investors.”
Nakalema also highlighted the Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP), an online platform managed by SHIPU that allows investors to get authentic information, inquire, verify and receive feedback, which is aimed at protecting them from fraud and frustrations.
Takuya, on his part, expressed gratitude for the “great bilateral relations” between Uganda and Japan, which he said have been strengthened through various initiatives, including investments and developmental engagements.
He assured Nakalema he would promote awareness of the EIPP among Japanese investors, calling it “very useful” for investing in Uganda. The ambassador also pledged to bring more investors to the country.
“This year is very significant for Japan and Uganda’s relationship,” Takuya said, noting recent visits by Uganda’s vice president and prime minister to Japan. “I have also visited the SHIPU to introduce more investors who can invest in Uganda.”