Kigezi Industrial park and Free Zone launched

Kigezi Industrial park and Free Zone launched…….

By Moses Agaba

Kisoro

Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, has rallied people of Kigezi region to support the Industrial Park and free zone that was launched in Kisoro District.

The Matia Kasaija has assured investors both foreign and domestic that no raw will stand in their way to block the industrialization agenda which the government of Uganda is pushing.

Minister Kasaija made the remarks on Saturday while speaking as the Chief Guest at the Kigezi Investment and Free Zone Summit that took place at Kibaya village in Rukundo Town Council in Kisoro District where a modern Industrial and Business is to be established.

The Kigezi Investment and Free Zone Summit was organized by Uganda Investment Authority to show case the industrialization potential in Kigezi Sub Region with emphasis on Kisoro District where an estimated 600 acres of land was offered by Kisoro District Local Government to establish one of the 25 Industrial and Business Parks across the country.

Minister Kasaija says that that the industrial revolution is deliberately being pursued by the government as an opportunity to transform the country because it will help create the much needed employment opportunities in the country.

He therefore said that investors should not fail to contact his Ministry to handle anything that may come into their way as they go about their businesses because they will handle accordingly.

Kasaija thanked Kisoro District Local Government for offering the land at Kibaya for Industrial which he said was strategic located to serve markets in the Great Lakes Region and said that such great opportunity should not be put to waste and as government they will not disappoint the people of Kisoro who donated the land.

The Minister also clarified that investors both local and foreign access tax waivers because of the huge amounts of capital they inject into their projects and the many job opportunities they create and said that it’s only through industrialisation that that many Ugandans especially the youth will get employment on top of skills transfer and development

He tasked the Government Ministries, Agencies and Departments especially Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) to live to the challenge and put in place all the necessary infrastructural development so that the investors can start their work.

He also urged the people of Kisoro District to welcome the industrial and double food production since the influx of big population to the area as a result of the establishing the industrial Park.

Evelyn Anite the Minister of State for Investment and Privatization said that her Ministry together with Uganda Investment Authority has already secured land needed to establish the 25 industrial parks in the 18 zones across the country and what is remaining is to ensure that they become operational.

“The establishment of the Industrial Parks is in line with President Yoweri Museveni Point 5 of the National Resistance Movement which focuses on building an integrated and self sustaining economy. Said Anite.

She revealed that the Kisoro Industrial Park physical designs will be carried out by Lagan Management starting next week and will last for 2 months and this will pave way for infrastructural development that include construction of roads, provision of water and electricity.

Anite said that Kisoro Industrial and Business Park is earmarked as one of the Free industrial Zones because of its location that focuses on production of goods for export and will have enormous tax incentives that will help reduce the cost of production.

Morrison Rwakakamba the Uganda Investment Authority Board Chairman assured investors that UIA will give them the support they need and asked them to take keen interest in Kisoro Industrial Park which is strategically located on the Goma – Mombasa Highway and is close to Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke The Minister of State for Youth and Children , who is also the Kisoro Woman Member of Parliament noted that investing in Kisoro is assured because of the raw materials industrialists need, the availability of the markets and demanded for improved potato seed which she said is better for food crisps.

Bufumbira North Members of Parliament Hon John Kamara said that the establishment of Kisoro Industrial Park was a dream comes true because himself as an investor will have no excuse to expand his Tea Processing Factory and export to Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Abel Bizimana Kisoro District LC 5 Chairman warned that they will not allow anyone who will try to sabotage the establishment of the industrial Park.

Bizimana however, called on the investors to take care of environmental concerns and needs for future posterity.

Dr James Nsaba Buturo Bufumbira East Member of Parliament, Dr Nicholas Kamara Kabale Municipality Member of Parliament and Eng Sam Arinaitwe Kajojo Kanungu District LC Chairman among others attended the Summit