UGANDA, Kisoro | Real Muloodi News | Kisoro district leadership has officially donated 620 acres of land to Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) to set up the Kigezi region’s first-ever industrial park.
The vast land in Kibaaya, Rukundo Town Council, extends from Rukundo town in Bufumbira North to Bunagana town in Bufumbira South and borders the Democratic Republic of Congo.
During the handover ceremony, Hon. David Bahati, the State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, applauded the Kisoro district for its willingness to support industrialization.
“Kisoro district has always shown its support to the government with the votes and now, the people of Kisoro have shown commitment to development and creation of jobs for the region,” Minister Bahati said.
State ministers were on a countrywide tour identifying suitable land for industrial parks as per the President Museveni’s directive. The tour included Minister Bahati, Evelyn Anite, the State Minister of Privatization and Investment, the State Minister for Local Government, Victoria Busingye Rusoke, and Uganda Investment Authority Executive Director, Robert Mukiza.
While receiving the land, Hon. Evelyn Anite commended the people of Kisoro for agreeing to avail land for industrial parks.
Minister Anite said in the entire Kigezi Sub-region, Kisoro district was the only district that offered land to the government. It is big enough, scandal-free and not in a wetland.
According to Uganda Investment Authority Executive Director Robert Mukiza, the strategic location of the land will allow the Industrial Park to supply both neighbouring countries; Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It will therefore boost trade between Uganda and the neighbouring countries.
Robert Mukiza said the industrial park will border Nkanka in Nyarubuya Sub County, a freshwater source for Kisoro district and will now also boast operations at the Industrial Park.
“I pledge to do what I need to push the industrialization agenda for Kisoro and the entire country. My humble appeal to the district leadership is to ensure we maintain unity, and no conflict arises on this land,” Mukiza emphasizes.
In May this year, the president approved the establishment of 25 industrial parks across the country in all sub-regions.
Over the past five years, authorities established at least 15 industrial parks, including Mbale, Kapeeka, Buikwe, Njeru, Namanve, Jinja, Soroti, Kampala industrial and business park, Luzira industrial and business park, and Bweyogerere industrial estate.
In October 2019, the government allocated over 130 Billion Ugandan Shillings to facilitate the development of 20 zonal industrial parks.
The government allocated the funds under wealth creation and local economic development, a presidential initiative. The parks are supposed to have mini-factories offering free skills to the youth and women in Uganda.
Kisoro district leaders are hopeful that the industrial park will bring a positive change in Kisoro.
Kisoro district LCV chairperson Abel Bizimana during the handover, said Kisoro is open for business.
“We hope business ventures like industrial parks will flow like water. Our children will get jobs and Kisoro district will also be recognized for value addition to Ugandan products,” said Bizimana.
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