Colonel Edith Nakalema, the leader of the State House Investors Protector Unit, has expressed her determination to work alongside the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in addressing issues caused by government officials and individuals hindering the progress of both local and foreign investors in Uganda.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Col Nakalema cited President Museveni’s Independence Day speech, where he emphasized the importance of the private sector’s growth in driving economic development. He called delays in local and foreign investments “enemy actions.” Nakalema stated, “As the head of the State House Investors Protection Unit, I am going to work with the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to ensure enemy actions are dealt with decisively.”
She added, “When the commander-in-chief speaks, ours is to move quickly and implement.”
In his recent address to the nation, President Museveni outlined eight critical issues for stimulating the country’s economic growth. Among these, he highlighted the need to combat corruption and safeguard the interests of both local and foreign investors, as they contribute to the country’s wealth and job creation.
“The seventh ingredient is to eliminate corruption,” said Museveni. “Ugandans and non-Ugandans that want to do business in Uganda should not pay bribes. Report the scam to the State House Anti-Corruption team and Colonel Nakalema’s group. Action will be taken.”
At the joint press conference on Wednesday, Col Nakalema affirmed that her unit is prepared to receive complaints from investors and assist them in establishing their investments in Uganda. She explained their mandate as “to collaboratively promote and protect a thriving investment climate in Uganda by coordinating with ministries, departments, and agencies to remove obstacles that hinder both local and foreign investors.”
Brigadier Henry Isoke, the head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, reiterated the unit’s commitment to receiving, examining, and acting on corruption-related complaints, working in coordination with other state anti-corruption agencies. He expressed their readiness to collaborate with the State House Investors Protection Unit to address corruption issues hindering investors’ activities.
While some have noted the similarity between the roles of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the State House Investors Protection Unit, Col Nakalema acknowledged that many members of the public contact her office with anti-corruption complaints that don’t strictly fall within the investors’ protection unit’s jurisdiction. She emphasized that there is cooperation between the two units, and they share complaints for resolution.
Col Nakalema clarified, “While the key goal is to fight corruption, there are clear distinctions in the mandates of both units. They are different in their mandates, but the goal is the same: to fight corruption. By establishing these two units, we aim to ensure enemy actions are dealt with decisively. As the State House Investors Protection Unit, we are coordinating and implementing the president’s directive on investments with zero tolerance for corruption.” She also highlighted her unit’s role in collaborating with various stakeholders in the investment sector to facilitate the work of investors.