By Shamim Saad
The State Minister for Privatization and Investment, Hon. Hajjati Amina Mukalazi, visited the Sino-Mbale Industrial Park as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen investment, address challenges faced by investors and accelerate the full operationalization of industrial parks across the country.
The Minister was accompanied by the State Minister for Public Service and Woman Member of Parliament for Mbale City, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) Director General Robert Mukiza and other government officials and stakeholders.
The visit provided an opportunity for government to engage directly with investors, assess operations on the ground and identify practical interventions to address challenges affecting businesses and unlock the park’s full investment potential.
Sino-Mbale Industrial Park currently hosts 92 factories, of which 72 are operational, with the park projected to create approximately 15,000 jobs at its current capacity and 20,000 jobs upon full operationalization.
During the tour, the delegation visited nine companies operating within the park, including Unisteel Industries, Tianao Furniture Ltd, Grace Textiles, Nice Textiles, Xin Long Textiles, Hui Ye Textiles, Timber Paper Industry, Uganda Lida Perfect Establishment and U Home Uganda.
The engagement brought together Government officials, park management and investors, including Tian Tang Group Director Luke Wang, Deputy Managing Director Owen Jin and Sino-Mbale Industrial Park Deputy General Manager Frank Liu.
During a meeting held at the park’s boardroom, Wang highlighted the progress made at park while outlining key challenges affecting operations.
These included road safety and frequent accidents along the highway near the park, inadequate firefighting capacity, insecurity at night, poor waste management, electricity outages and flooding.
Wang called for urgent government intervention to improve road safety, particularly through the installation of road signage and speed-control measures.
“We have lost so far 20 lives in road accidents since October last year to date in the area. We call for urgent intervention through road signage and speed humps,” he said.
In response, Minister Mukalazi pledged to work with the Uganda Police Force, other security agencies, park management and the surrounding community to strengthen security and address the concerns raised by investors.
On road safety, she said her Ministry would engage the Ministry of Works and Transport, under the leadership of Hon. Fred Byamukama, to address the park’s concerns, particularly the installation of appropriate road signage and speed humps along the highway.
“My Ministry will engage the Ministry of Works under the leadership of Hon. Fred Byamukama to ensure the concerns raised by the park leadership are addressed, particularly their request for the installation of appropriate road signage and speed humps along the highway to reduce accidents and protect lives,” Mukalazi said.
UIA Director General Robert Mukiza said government was already implementing interventions to improve electricity reliability in the industrial park.
He noted that procurement of equipment to stabilize power supply had been initiated, with funding allocated through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to reduce unplanned power outages and complete the planned substation.
“UIA will work with the Ministry to fast-track implementation of these interventions,” Mukiza assured investors.
Mukiza also addressed concerns related to flooding, noting that funding had been provided to widen the Nakibisho River channel.
He said the procurement process for the contractor was expected to be concluded by October 2026. The intervention is expected to improve drainage, mitigate flooding and safeguard businesses and investments within the industrial park.
Hon. Wanyoto commended UIA and the leadership of Sino-Mbale Industrial Park for creating employment opportunities for young people in the region.
She called on government to consider establishing affordable housing estates around industrial parks to address workers’ housing needs and promote organized settlements.
Wanyoto also highlighted the need for essential social infrastructure, including schools and health facilities, to serve workers and surrounding communities, while strengthening occupational health and safety.
On concerns regarding pollution associated with brewing activities in the Musoto area, Wanyoto pledged to work with the local community to improve sanitation and waste management, promote safer and cleaner brewing practices, and minimize pollution and other disruptions affecting investors within the park.
The visit highlights government’s commitment to working closely with investors and relevant stakeholders to resolve operational challenges.
ENDS
