KAMPALA, Uganda — State House Investors Protection Unit Head Col. Edith Nakalema and newly appointed Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Minister Sanjay Tanna have pledged timely government support for investors to accelerate Uganda’s digital transformation and industrial growth.
The commitments were made during a stakeholder engagement at the unit’s offices in Kampala, which included a courtesy visit from Huawei Uganda officials alongside various manufacturers, technology players and government representatives.
Nakalema said the meeting was aimed at bridging the gap between policy and production to ensure investors receive immediate assistance in line with presidential directives against delaying investment projects. She noted that the unit remains a dependable partner in coordinating state agencies to resolve challenges for anyone adding value to the economy through factories, farms or markets.
Nakalema also commended Huawei for its ongoing contributions to Uganda’s digital infrastructure, connectivity and education sectors.
Tanna reaffirmed the administration’s readiness to maintain a business-friendly environment by addressing investor concerns regarding taxation, production costs and regulatory hurdles. He encouraged increased public-private collaboration, particularly in technology-driven sectors such as ICT, digital services and call centers, which he noted hold significant potential for generating youth employment.
State Minister for Privatization and Investment Aminah Mukalazi also attended the forum, praising the investors protection portal launched in July 2023 for improving bureaucratic responsiveness. Mukalazi lauded Huawei Uganda’s rural connectivity initiatives, specifically its Digital Village program, for enhancing livelihoods and learning opportunities in underserved communities.
The high-level engagement also provided a platform for local industry leaders to raise operational challenges. Joseph Kiyimba, a local timber manufacturer, called for policy flexibility and further consultations regarding the implementation of the ban on unprocessed timber exports, noting that compliant local investors in veneer and utility pole production have faced difficulties.
Additionally, Uganda Manufacturers Association Board Member Stephen Kalibaala Mpagi urged the government to review tax policies ahead of the new financial year. Mpagi warned that a proposed increase in excise duty on plastic raw materials would drive up production costs, suggesting instead that the government focus on expanding the tax base by formalizing the informal sector to alleviate pressure on compliant manufacturers.
