By David Rupiny
The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) is a government agency established under the Investment Code Act (1991, revised 2019) to promote, attract, and facilitate both domestic and foreign investments. It provides a one-stop centre for business registration, licensing, and investor support, making doing business in Uganda faster and easier.
A conducive investment environment
Uganda is strategically located at the heart of East Africa, providing access to over 900 million consumers through the EAC, COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which spans 1.4 billion people. With political stability, strong economic growth, an enabling and inviting investment and business environment, highly skilled and affordable labour, rich natural resources, strategic location in the heart of Africa, and preferential access to major regional and global markets like the East African Community, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the African Continental Free Trade Area, the European Union, the United States, and China, Uganda offers a highly competitive and profitable environment for investors seeking growth.
“UIA ensures investors benefit from Uganda’s opportunities by streamlining approvals, coordinating government agencies, and reducing business setup time.” – UIA Director General, Robert Mukiza
Investment facilitation services
- Streamlined licensing and registration through the UIA One-Stop Centre (OSC) www.ebiz.go.ug
- Provision of detailed information on investment opportunities in key sectors such as agro-industrialization, tourism, mining, and innovation.
- Assistance in acquiring work permits, tax identification number (TIN), trading licenses, and environmental approvals.
- Priority access to infrastructure like roads, water, power, and ICT.
- Support with utility connections and land allocation for qualifying projects.
- Continuous aftercare support, resolving investor challenges, and advocating for reforms to improve Uganda’s investment climate.
Non-tax and tax incentives
- Free Investment License
- Corporate income tax holidays of up to 10 years for qualifying investors.
- Import duty exemptions on plant, machinery, and production equipment.
- VAT exemption or deferment on imported plant and machinery.
- VAT exemptions on agricultural and industrial inputs.
- Access to serviced land in government-developed industrial and business parks.
- Duty-free import of raw materials and intermediate goods for export production.
- 100% exemption from import duties and taxes in Export Processing Zones (EPZs).
- Simplified customs procedures for exporters.
- Full repatriation of profits, dividends, and capital after tax
- Protection against expropriation under the Investment Code Act, 2019.
- VAT exemptions on hotel and tourism-related equipment.
Partnering for growth
UIA attracts quality investments in manufacturing, agro-processing, tourism, ICT, minerals, and renewable energy, etc, generating jobs and accelerating Uganda’s industrial transformation.
According to Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Zaake Kibedi, the UAE is a top foreign direct investor in Uganda, with a significant increase in investment from $300 million in 2018 to $3.5 billion in 2024. This growth is attributed to increased investment promotion initiatives, strengthened diplomatic ties, including multiple presidential visits, and the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). Key investment projects, like by Modern Group of Companies, the oil refinery project, and many others are sourced from the UAE.
“Join us in building a prosperous Uganda and be part of the country’s industrial and economic success story.” – UIA Director General, Robert Mukiza
Contact & More Information
Uganda Investment Authority (UIA)
Uganda Business Facilitation Centre
Plot 1, Baskerville Avenue, Kololo – Floors 1,6, and 7
P.O. Box 7418 Kampala, Uganda
📞 Tel: +256 414 301 000
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Websites: www.ugandainvest.go.ug
Follow us: @InvestUganda on X and LinkedIn
