Chinese investment to change Buyende

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OPINION

By Milly Babalanda

Last Sunday, Buyende district was privileged to host investors from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Visa Service Co. Ltd. These development partners came to Uganda to undertake a feasibility study on the investment opportunities available in the district. I am pleased to inform our people that these investors were invited by officials from the President’s Office, whom I recently sent on a benchmarking trip to China with clear instructions to market Uganda’s investment potential.

It is, therefore, a great honour to see that our benchmarking efforts were not in vain. This return visit for feasibility studies by our partners from Hangzhou demonstrates growing confidence in Uganda as a viable and strategic investment destination.

Beyond the immense opportunities these investors bring to the people of Buyende, their choice of Uganda further strengthens bilateral ties between the two countries. More importantly, it translates into tangible opportunities that directly address the needs and aspirations of our communities.

The investment opportunities cited

From our fruitful discussions, the investors noted that Buyende presents vast investment potential. They have expressed interest in sectors ranging from renewable energy and smart grid infrastructure to agro-processing, textiles, and aquaculture.

For the people of Buyende, these opportunities are both timely and transformative. For years, many communities — especially those dependent on fishing — have faced vulnerabilities due to environmental pressures and fluctuating incomes. The introduction of fish cage farming, supported by modern Chinese expertise, will not only boost productivity, but also align with the presidential initiative of diversifying income sources among fishing communities. This will help build resilience by equipping our people with skills and technologies that enhance both output and incomes.

Equally significant is the planned investment in renewable energy. As you may be aware, Buyende is home to the proposed nuclear energy plant at Kasaato, positioning it as an emerging energy hub. It is, therefore, not surprising that the Hangzhou Xiaoshan investors intend to expand this potential by establishing factories to manufacture transformers and power inverters. Given that electricity uptake remains low, especially in rural areas, access to reliable and affordable energy is critical for transformation. Localising production and expanding energy solutions will lay a stronger foundation for industrial growth, improved service delivery, and a better quality of life.

To actualise these investments, the investors proposed the establishment of an industrial park in Buyende. Industrial parks are well known as engines of economic growth, as they attract businesses, create jobs, and stimulate value addition. However, we must acknowledge that land scarcity remains one of the key challenges government faces in setting up such critical infrastructure. In this regard, I have personally donated 20 acres of my land at Kalogoyi in Iringa sub-county to support the realisation of this vision. What remains is the signing of a memorandum of understanding to operationalise this important project.

We are optimistic that once this industrial hub is established, it will serve not only Busoga, but also the wider eastern region. Buyende’s strategic location as a transit district linking Busoga, Buliisa, Teso, Lango, and Buganda sub-regions gives it a unique advantage.

As Buyende evolves into an industrial hub, agriculture — the backbone of our economy — will also benefit. This is why I encouraged the investors to explore opportunities in the garments and textiles industry. Uganda produces high-quality cotton, particularly in Teso, yet much of it is exported in raw form.

By investing in local processing and garment manufacturing, we can create jobs and empower our farmers through value addition. Importantly, this investment comes at an opportune time, as Buyende now benefits from improved transport linkages such as the recently launched Bukungu–Kagwara ferries, which connect Busoga to Teso. These developments provide the logistical advantage needed to support agro-industrialisation.

I, therefore, heartily thank our dear President, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for his foresight in fighting for these ferries, which have since unlocked Buyende’s investment potential.

A call to accelerate infrastructure

As we embrace these opportunities, we must also confront our challenges with equal determination. The Government has already planned to tarmac the Kamuli–Bukungu road to improve the transport network. My appeal is that there is no better time to fast-track the construction of this road, alongside other critical enablers such as expanded water and sanitation systems.

As we transition from dialogue to implementation, I call upon all stakeholders — to embrace this opportunity with readiness and responsibility. This is our moment to rise, industrialise, and secure a better future for our people. It requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders. I therefore call upon the relevant MDAs to assist these investors to actualise the Buyende industrialisation dream for our people to benefit.

Most importantly, these developments are firmly anchored in Uganda’s broader development framework, including Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan. They align with the Government’s emphasis on wealth creation, industrialisation, and private sector-led growth. Let us, therefore, seize this opportunity with both hands.

The writer is the Minister for the Presidency and Budhiope West MP-elect