200,000 jobs in offing as Kapeeka Industrial Park undergoes major transformation

The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) has announced plans to transform Kapeeka Industrial Park, in Nakaseke district, into a one-stop centre and a district industrial hub.

Established 20 years ago as Liao Shen Industrial Park, the facility boasts 34 factories of the total 80 target and has created 31,000 jobs directly and indirectly in Nakaseke district.

The Director General of Uganda Investment Authority, Mr Robert Mukiza, says when fully developed, the Park will create a total of 200,000 jobs in the district.

“What does that mean? If you want a work permit for the workers that you are bringing to the industrial park, you don't need to come to Kampala. The one-stop centre of Uganda Investment Authority will give that to you.’’

Adding that, ‘’The business registration, URA, NEMA certification, all that will be in the one-stop centre of Uganda Investment Authority within the park.’’

All domestic and international investors will be able to access services in one spot.

Mr Mukiza added that the Authority also wants to expand and have a cohort of industrialists in Nakaseke district to ensure that they set up small-scale industries that will feed into the industries within the area.

“So, give an example of a car manufacturing plant. Not all parts are made by the car manufacturer. The side windows, the chairs, the locks for the car parts, those can be made by small and medium-scale industries that feed into the major industries within the industrial park.’’

‘’So we look forward to further expanding and ensuring that Nakasake district is an industrial hub for the region and is talked about as an industrial district for Uganda,” he added

The factories are manufacturing concrete products, agricultural products, food items, electrical appliances, shoes and fishnets, among others.

Kapeeka Industrial Parks, co-founded by President Yoweri Museveni`s brother Caleb Akandwanaho, known as General Salim Saleh, sits on 1,600 acres of land, previously used as a farmland of cassava for 2 years and maize for 8 years.

Mr Liao Shen, co- founder of the park and Chairman, Uganda- China Development Exchange Club, said they have helped farmers develop agriculture together.

“Over the past decades, we have provided a total of more than 600 tons of maize seeds, 300 maize sheller machines, a large amount of pesticides, tarpaulins, and even soil samples from various regions were sent back to China for professional laboratory analysis, and customised fertilisers were sent back to Uganda for distribution to farmers,” he said

Saying, “Over the past 20 years, we have invested a total of more than USD6 million dollars in agricultural poverty alleviation,”

The Minister for Kampala, Ms Minsa Kabanda, asked the investor to explore opportunities even in other districts and start other investments.