The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) has proposed a budget of sh6 billion to secure and fence industrial parks across the country, a move aimed at protecting these enterprise hubs from potential land grabbers.
Chairing the Finance, Planning, and Economic Development Committee, Amos Kankunda presented the recommendation to allocate the funds in the forthcoming fiscal year, emphasizing its importance in implementing the Regional Industrial Parks Development Programme. Kankunda also highlighted the need for additional funds for infrastructure development at Liao Shen Industrial Park, Kapeeka, and Mbale Industrial Park.
The proposed sh263.94 billion for infrastructure development at specific industrial parks, including Tangshan Mbale Industrial Park and Liao Shen Industrial Park in Kapeeka, is crucial as the contract period is set to expire during the fiscal year 2025/26. Kankunda emphasized that any delay may lead to litigation and potential costs.
According to Cabinet approval, the allocated funds will facilitate the development of reliable infrastructure to support manufacturing within planned growth corridors, streamline movement, and enhance trade connectivity between production centers, households, and communities to markets.
However, MPs, including Geoffrey Ekanya and Wilfred Niwagaba, raised concerns during discussions. Ekanya questioned the allocation for fencing open spaces, urging a focus on essential infrastructure such as power, water, and roads. Niwagaba raised questions about the nomenclature of the industrial parks, suggesting a potential transfer of ownership to Chinese companies.
In response, Dickson Kateshumbwa, a former Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) commissioner, downplayed the naming concerns, emphasizing that the critical role of the government is to create infrastructure rather than dictating park names.
