Hon. Evelyn Anite , the State Minister for Finance in charge of Investments and Privatization has called upon Ugandans to make good use of large chunks of land which were set aside by government for investors.
During her Visit to Movit Company in Bunamwaya, Wakiso district, the Minister revealed that government has square miles of land in various parts of the country ready to be given out to investors free of charge, but unfortunately very few Ugandans have expressed interest in starting up business ventures on that land
“I was tasked by the President while appointing me to this Minsitry, to promote investments and industrialization in Uganda. You asked for land from Government and I can assure you , you will have all the land you need in any part of the country you want. You asked for 50 acres , they shall be given to you free of charge.” Anite responding to Movit’s request for expansion land.
On the challenges of Digital conformity Stamp raised by the Movit team, the Minister promised that this and other related issues are going to be discussed in a meeting scheduled to take place on 4th September 2024, at Hotel Africana involving all investors in the country , technical staff from relevant Ministries in presence of the Prime Minister Rt. Hon Robbinah Nabanja.
Anite commended Mr. Simpson Birungi Chairman Movit group of companies for his visionary leadership which has enabled Movit to expand into a large business venture employing over two thousand people directly and other millions indirectly.
“I recognize the efforts of Mr. Birungi, a Ugandan investor who came from Rukiga land to Kikuubo and ending up one of the top investors in the country. He told me his story and I promise that he will tell you his story when His Excellency the President comes to commission this plant.”
Robert Kitenda , the head of Marketing , Movit Africa, reported to the Minister that the Digital conformity mark(mode of certification )which was recently introduced by Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has increased their certification costs to 20,000 percent and this has greatly affected their production.
“This a mode of certification which is being implemented , we have started feeling the pain in a period of one month we have spent 1 billion shillings extra money which we didn’t plan to spend in 2022/23 we spent 300 million shillings on certification alone. Our projection is that we are about to spend over six billion shillings in one year yet We were not consulted and involved in the whole process.” Kitenda noted
He therefore asked the Minister to bring them (Movit) closer to key stakeholders to work together in bringing the costs down or reconsider this mode of certification which is a very big threat to the manufacturing sector
Mr. Birungi Simpson thanked the President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for putting in place a conducive environment which have enabled them to smoothly run their business for close to 27 years.
“Our ambition is to be in every house hold in Africa that’s our dream. We have over 10,000 employees and we are looking forward to having more than 20 brands in Africa.”
The available land which was set aside by government for investors include 45 square miles in Kamwenge (Western Uganda), 1200 acres in Yumbe, 1000 acres in Madi Okollo, 600 acres in Nebbi, 500 acres in Lira city, 600 acres in Dokolo, 600 acres in Pader and 600 acres in Kamuli.
Other areas include 200 acres in Kayunga, 1000 acres in Kisozi Gomba, 119 acres in Mbarara and 3000 acres in Buliisa, Hoima and Masindi.
