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Globalisation has unlocked a sea of opportunities for all countries. It is important to make maximum advantage of the emerging competitive scenario. What are the competitive advantages of Uganda in various sectors of its economy?
Our advantages are in agricultural, service, education, financial, mining, tourism and energy sectors. Uganda has plenty of land which is highly fertile. Fertilisers are not needed. Moreover, there is plenty of rain, the whole year round. In service sector, Uganda has highly trained people. Uganda is a hub for health. There is market all around, like Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Uganda has 20 universities and 2000 private schools. Uganda is indeed a hub for education also. Around 50 percent of the students are from outside Uganda. In the financial sector, Uganda is becoming an important centre in the East. We have attracted most of the commercial banks. India’s Bank of Baroda is an example. The government has identified information and communication technology (ICT) as a major sector. We are looking for software trainees. We will work with India as a major partner in the IT sector.
There are opportunities in all areas; infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, mining and energy.
Institutional mechanisms are important to guide and accelerate the industrial and economic process. What is the role of Uganda’s Investment Authority?
Our role is, first of all, to identify investment opportunities and to promote them. We promote domestic investors and also investors from outside. The second role played by us is to facilitate investment and also to assist investment set up like access to licenses, electricity, water, commercial land, industrial land and agricultural land. We deal with the private sector; we know their problems, discuss the issues with the government and try to improve them.
Do you have a single window system for investors?
We look at ourselves as pre-single window. We work with partners. We cannot deliver all the services. We don’t want to collapse. We work with everyone else to provide services to the private sector, so as to make it as easy as possible.
How successful is COMESA as a common market for Eastern and Southern Africa?
COMESA is very important for us. It provides markets for products made in Uganda. So we look at ourselves as a member of COMESA. We try to encourage Indian industries to enter Uganda.
What are the special incentives for investors in Uganda?
We do have very attractive incentive regime. We offer initial allowances up to 60 percent, if they are placed in Kampala internet gateway. Initial allowances of up to 75 percent are available, if they are based in other centres in the country. Then we have accelerated depreciation allowances of various kinds. Plants and machinery come in duty free. There are incentives for exporters, within the export processing zone (EPZ).
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