The Director General of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), Robert Mukiza, has called on traders in Kisoro District to shift their focus towards manufacturing in order to fully benefit from the forthcoming industrial park in the region.
Speaking at an end-of-year gathering for Kisoro District local authorities held at Tourland Cottages on Monday, Mukiza highlighted Kisoro’s strategic location as a gateway to economic growth. He underscored the transformative potential of manufacturing to elevate the district’s economy.
“The industrial park will unlock opportunities for trade and value addition. Traders should be ready to seize these opportunities by venturing into manufacturing,” Mukiza said.
Mukiza reassured stakeholders about the progress of the industrial park’s development. He revealed that critical preparatory steps, including the acquisition of a land title, completion of a feasibility study, and land demarcation, have been successfully completed. The next phase will involve discussions on financing the park’s construction.
Despite these assurances, some local leaders voiced concerns over delays in the project’s implementation. John Ninzeyimana Kamara, the Bufumbira North Member of Parliament, expressed frustration, warning that he would mobilize stakeholders to demand accountability for the slow progress.
“Our people deserve to know why the project is taking so long. We will not sit back while this opportunity slips away,” Kamara stated.
Other leaders echoed Kamara’s sentiments. Deus Byamugisha, the Rubuguri Town Council councilor, expressed disappointment over the delays, emphasizing the park’s potential to improve Kisoro’s infrastructure and economic landscape.
James Agaba, a councilor representing Kisoro Municipality, also highlighted the challenges faced in addressing public concerns about the industrial park’s status.
“Residents ask us when the industrial park will become a reality, but we have no concrete answers,” Agaba lamented.
The establishment of industrial parks aligns with the government’s strategy to drive industrialization across Uganda. In May 2021, President Yoweri Museveni approved the creation of 25 industrial parks nationwide. To date, at least 15 parks have been established, supported by a government allocation of UGX 130 billion in 2019.
In Kisoro, local authorities allocated 620 acres of land in Kibaya, covering Bunagana and Rukundo Town Councils, for the industrial park in August 2021. However, the lack of visible progress on-site has sparked doubts about the commitment to industrializing the area.
As stakeholders await the next steps, the spotlight remains on UIA and the government to ensure the industrial park becomes a catalyst for Kisoro’s development.
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