Invest at home, Ugandans in diaspora advised

The Vice-Chairman of Uganda Convention in the United Kingdom has advised Ugandans in the Diaspora to take advantage of the conducive investment environment and incentives put in place by the Ugandan government to invest back home.

According to a release from the Uganda Convention in the UK, Bernard Robinson Magulu, who is also the country representative for the convention in Uganda, was speaking at the Private Equity Round Table in London recently.

Speaker Kadaga (middle) poses with organiser Willy Mutenza (far left) and some of the organisers at last year's convention

 
He reportedly said the Ugandan government, through various agencies, had put in place measures aimed at easing investment in the country.

Uganda Investment Authority initiatives

"The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) is setting up industrial and business parks countrywide which aim to introduce new research technologies and subsequently increase revenue generation for Uganda. As Ugandans living abroad, you can take advantage of these," Magulu is quoted as saying.

UIA also recently approved another four regional science and technology industrial parks in Kyankwanzi, Rubirizi, Kamuli and Nebbi districts to improve scientific and industrial innovations linked to major research institutions in those areas.

Magulu urged Ugandans in the Diaspora to specifically setup businesses targeting parks in their respective home regions.

The Ugandan Convention is an annual gathering of Ugandans from all over the world in London, UK. The Convention brings together experts, business leaders, professionals and representatives from prominent organisations based in Uganda, the UK and internationally.

Mutenza (middle) and Bernard Magulu listen to Lord Popat

Delegates have access to up-to-date information on the vast potential for investment that Uganda offers to both the domestic and international community.

This year's convention, the seventh, will be held in London on September 16, 2017 at the Troxy - London under the theme 'partnering for wealth creation'. The event will feature a line-up of distinguished speakers and panellists from diverse businesses and organizations across East Africa.

Opportunities in agriculture, tourism

"Indeed, there are many Government programmes geared at increasing productivity, for instance Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) project.   As these bear fruit, there is a big need to add value to the increased output, investment in agro processing for export and packaging. Packaging is a very integral sector to competiveness in exports. Uganda has a very long list of exportable agro products," Magulu said.

Ogwal meets Besigye as Kadaga looks on at last year's convention.

 
Magulu also cited opportunities in the tourism sector where there is a potential in the creation of new tourism products, good affordable accommodation and all the other businesses that surround tourism i.e. crafts, culture (lifestyle experience, theatres, drama, food, etc.).

Other sectors with viable areas of investment Mugalu said include logistics, food supply, waste management, etc.

"In order for Uganda to improve its economic growth, a need to attract more investments in value addition to Uganda's resources is crucial," he said.

Other target sectors, Magulu said, include agriculture/agribusiness and agro-processing; tourism; minerals/oil & gas; and science, technology & innovations (STI) including Information Communications Technology (ICT).

Guests having a meal at the Uganda UK Convention last year at the Troxy in London.

Ease of doing business

 "The business registration process is now fully automated and an investor (both local and foreign) can apply to register a business online through the UIA electronic One Stop Centre (www.ebiz.go.ug) thereby bringing all investor-related services under one roof," Magulu said.

Quoting Charles Omusana, the Director, Investment Facilitation at UIA, Magulu said eBiz  has modules like the Business Registration System (BRS), the online application for an investment license (UIA), the online application for an environmental impact assessment (NEMA), the interface to the e-VISA to process online applications for Visas and special permits and passes, and the online application for the City Operators Identification Number (COIN).

The Uganda Convention UK:

Willy Mutenza, the chairman of the convention said the forum has come at a significant time in our country's economic development, when we are doubling our efforts to build an export oriented economy.

"One of the objectives of the Convention in UK is to brand and market Uganda as profitable for investments, business and as the land of entrepreneurial and innovative people," he said.

Participants at the Uganda Convention in the UK last year.

He said discussions will centre around key international transactions and business partnerships, access to finance, and flagship bankable projects in agriculture/agribusiness & agro-processing; tourism; minerals/oil & gas; science; tourism and technology & innova­tions.

Ugandans interested in attending the convention can register free-of-charge at http://ucuk2017.eventbrite.co.uk