The Presidential CEO Forum (PCF) has launched its inaugural Information Tour at Kapeeka Industrial Park aimed at strengthening collaboration between government and the private sector in driving Uganda’s industrial transformation.
The initiative, officially unveiled in July by the Chairperson of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen. (Rtd.) Caleb Akandwanaho, in Gulu City, seeks to bridge communication gaps between policymakers and business leaders while showcasing the impact of national development projects across the country.
Speaking during the visit, Gen. (Rtd.) Akandwanaho, also known as Gen. Saleh, praised Uganda’s liberalisation and privatisation policies for opening opportunities that have made the private sector the engine of the national economy. He cited Kapeeka, Namukenkera Industrial Park as a model for how strong government–business collaboration can spur industrial growth, create jobs, and boost exports.
“The partnership between government and the private sector has transformed Kapeeka into a hub of innovation and enterprise,” he said, noting that Uganda’s economic reforms continue to pay off through increased production and competitiveness.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat, represented by Deputy Secretary General, Rosemary Namayanja, coordinated the tour, the first formal engagement between the ruling party and the business community through the CEO Forum. Discussions centered on sustaining Uganda’s economic progress and giving private investors a more active role in shaping national policies.
Emmanuel Katongole, Chairperson of the PCF, emphasized that the Forum aims to ensure continuous alignment between government priorities and private sector initiatives. He commended industrial investors for creating jobs and building local capacity, stressing that the new Information Tour series will help expand successful models like Kapeeka to other regions.
“Our focus is to deepen collaboration, improve policy incentives, and protect the gains Uganda has made in its economic transformation,” Katongole said.
PCF Chief Executive Officer Irene Birungi Mugisha highlighted President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s consistent guidance in promoting industrialisation as a key pillar of national development. She said the Forum serves as a platform for CEOs to exchange ideas, promote innovation, and support economic growth through partnership rather than criticism.
“Kapeeka stands as proof of what happens when government and the private sector pull in the same direction,” Mugisha noted.
The event was attended by Ministers Hillary Onek, Godfrey Kabyanga, and Esther Anyakun, alongside heads of government agencies and private sector leaders.
Kapeeka Industrial Park continues to stand out as a symbol of Uganda’s growing industrial base, supporting agro-processing, light manufacturing, and import substitution.
The Presidential CEO Forum plans to extend similar tours to other industrial parks and economic zones to deepen understanding of government programmes and identify new opportunities for investment and collaboration across the country.