The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) management has commended the contribution of two board members towards increasing both domestic and foreign direct investment during their term of service.

Last week, the UIA unveiled Morrison Rwakakamba and Robert Mukiza as new board chairperson and director general respectively. Rwakakamba replaces Dr. Emely Kugonza who was recently elected Member of Parliament to represent the people of Buyanja East constituency in Kibale district.

Fred Opolot another board member was elected to represent Pingire Country.

The new faces joining the UIA board include; veteran journalist Angelo Izama and former Buliisa Woman Member of Parliament Mpairwe Beatrice. 

Acting director-general Lawrence Byensi said that the outgoing board members have been instrumental in the automation of systems, attracting investors and lobbying for funds for the agency.  

“We now have 14 agencies which are represented at the One Stop Center. We have made big strides in industrial parks not only in numbers but at least in the intensity of the activities we have undertaken,” Byensi said at a farewell function held for members in Kampala. 

“I am glad to report that as they leave, 71 companies in Namanve are operational and 147 companies are under construction. That’s the record the two gentlemen have left with us. 

“I want to appeal to the next board chaired by Morrision Rwakakamba that for us as management we commit to making sure that this project proceeds. But we also appeal to our new team to support this project to make sure it is supported fully,” he said. 

State Minister for Investment and privatization Hon Evelyn Anite said the appointment of replacements was critically examined to ensure better service delivery at the agency. 

“They worked together and they were able to establish 14 industrial parks. UIA did not even have a feasibility study but the board came up with a feasibility study for our industrial parks. I want to thank you.

“You have wiped out corruption at UIA. At least I stopped hearing issues of bribery and corruption at UIA. It was my recommendation that Morrision Rwakakamba goes to UIA. We believe the chairman has passed the baton to a very competent chairperson. 

The Board also embarked on finalising the UIA Strategic Plan 2020-25 which among other priority areas outline strategies to attract and facilitate investment in the priority areas as outlined in the National Development Plan III. 

In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, UIA licensed a total of 75 projects in quarter three of financial year 2019-2020.

The planned investments licenced between January and March 2020 were worth $302.6m in planned investment venture and are expected to create 7,551 jobs, of which 1,428 were by Domestic Direct Investments and 6,123 were by foreign direct investments (FDI), according to the UIA Director for Investment Promotion and Development Sheila Mugyenzi.

Cumulatively the planned jobs in the last three quarters total to 23,055 of which 7,716 are being created by DDI and 15,339 are created by FDI.