West Nile, strategically located in northwestern Uganda with proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic, is now connected to industrial power transmission, setting the stage for industrial development.
President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the 132kV double circuit transmission line and the Nebbi substation on August 3, 2024, in Nebbi Municipality.
The line has three substations in Gulu, Nebbi, and Arua City, with a combined capacity of 90 megawatts.
West Nile comprises 13 administrative units: Pakwach, Nebbi, Zombo, Madi-Okollo, Arua, Maracha, Terego, Koboko, Yumbe, Obongi, Moyo, Adjumani and Arua City.
The region borders the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan and is close to the Central African Republic.
In his speech, President Museveni asked leaders in West Nile to allocate land for industrial parks in order to attract investors and industries.
“With this power supply, we shall be able to confidently attract factories. There is a lot of power waiting to be used. What I recommend is to develop an industrial park in West Nile near the power line such that investors do not have to come and waste time looking for land. That way, we will be able to consume the 90 megawatts of power,” the President said.
In West Nile, investment opportunities exist in the agro-processing of various products like grains, cassava, juices, wines (from grapes), fruits (like oranges, avocado, mangoes, bananas), coffee, cotton, tobacco, cocoa, tea, vegetables, fish, beef, milk, honey, shea butter, palm oil, timber, leather, sesame, and peanuts, amongst others.
Investment opportunities also exist in manufacturing, real estate, hotels, tourism, oil and gas, logistics, storage, mining, and fishing. In addition, the region has a readily available labour force.
In addition to the local market of 3.9 million people, setting up industries in West Nile has the potential to reach lucrative regional markets like the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.
The Uganda Investment Authority has acquired land (offered by local governments) in Nebbi (511 acres), Madi-Okollo (500 acres), and Yumbe (1,200 acres).
The Nebbi Industrial and Business Park, for example, already has access to a continental highway, industrial power, industrial water, and broadband lines, is part of the oil-rich Lake Albert Basin, and is only 10 kilometres from the DRC border.
The Chairman of Uganda Investment Authority, Morrison Rwakakamba, said the authority is setting up 25 industrial parks across Uganda, with a few in West Nile alone.
“In Nebbi, we secured 511 acres of land for an industrial park and we are working with the district leadership to finalize the gazetting of the title and are working on the masterplan,” said Rwakakamba.
According to Rwakakamba, West Nile has great potential for industrial growth for consumer goods because of the availability of raw materials and access to key markets like South Sudan, the DRC, and CAR, emphasizing that the region has a “high return of investment on account of its strategic location”.
One of the biggest wineries in Uganda, Oyoma General Store, which started as a cottage industry, is already operational in Nebbi District. Its markets include West Nile, northern Uganda, mid-western Uganda, eastern DRC, South Sudan, and CAR. The factory employs 1,600 young people.
A number of potential investors have also been showing interest in setting up shop in West Nile.
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