The Board of Directors of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), together with Director General Robert Mukiza, today conducted an inspection and monitoring visit to the ongoing Kampala Industrial and Business Park (KIBP) – Namanve Infrastructure Development Project, assessing progress on the critical infrastructure transforming Uganda’s flagship industrial hub.
The visit highlighted the significant strides being made in positioning Namanve Industrial Park as a modern industrial center capable of attracting large-scale investment, creating jobs, and accelerating Uganda’s industrialization agenda.
Government, through contractor-supported financing arrangements, is implementing major infrastructure upgrades at the park, including the construction of more than 44 kilometers of paved road networks, bridges, traffic management systems, solar street lighting, and modern water and electricity distribution systems.
Speaking during the inspection tour, UIA Director General Robert Mukiza described Namanve Industrial Park as the benchmark for industrial park development in Uganda.
“Namanve Industrial Park is our flagship park. It will act as the gold standard for industrial parks development in Uganda,” Mukiza said.
He noted that the improved infrastructure has already triggered a significant increase in industrial activity at the park. Before 2016, the industrial park had only 22 operational factories, with growth hindered by the area’s difficult geographical terrain and inadequate infrastructure. Today, however, close to 500 companies are operating within the park, reflecting growing investor confidence and government commitment to creating an enabling business environment.
Mukiza reaffirmed UIA’s commitment to supporting both local and foreign investors through the provision of serviced industrial land and investment facilitation services.
“If you have a promising value-addition investment idea or project, we encourage you to engage us and share your proposal,” he said. “Ugandans should note that land in industrial parks is allocated free of charge. However, beneficiaries are required to comply with set timelines and development conditions.”
He explained that investors allocated land are expected to commence development within 18 months, construct factory or office structures within two years, roof the buildings within three years and install machinery within four years. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in repossession of the land through public notice.
The Kampala Industrial and Business Park, commonly known as Namanve Industrial Park, is Uganda’s largest industrial park. Established in 1991, the park sits on approximately 2,209 acres (about 8.9 square miles) along the Kampala–Jinja Highway and serves as a key driver of Uganda’s industrial transformation strategy.
UIA is currently developing 25 Industrial and Business Parks across the country to expand employment opportunities, improve access to serviced industrial land, promote research and technology transfer, strengthen skills development, and increase Uganda’s revenue base. The parks are also expected to boost value addition to locally available raw materials, particularly in the agriculture and mineral sectors.
