Uganda And Hunan Province, China In Investment Collaboration Pact

The Governor of the province of Hunan in the People’s Republic of China Mr. Xu Dazhe at the invitation of the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister visited Uganda from 20th to 23rd June 2018. The Governor led a delegation of 84 members, among who were 30 business enterprises. Other members comprised Provincial entity officials. The aim of the Office of the prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UIA coordinated visit, was to deepen and consolidate the trade and investment cooperation between Uganda and the Province of Hunan.

Visiting the UIA

During the three day visit, UIA hosted part of the delegation to a business workshop at the UIA offices. The 11 man team to UIA was led by Mr Zeng Chaoqun, Party Committee Secretary of Changsha Economic Development Zone. Mr Emely Kugonza, Chairman of the UIA Board presided over the meeting, which was also attended by Mr Fred Opolot, Member of the Board and Mrs Jolly Kaguhangire, Executive Director of UIA.

Mr Emely Kugonza welcomed the delegation to Uganda especially to Uganda Investment Authority and noted that the visit fitted well with the UIA 5 year strategic plan objective of reaching out to Hunan to seek strategic investment and networking partnership.

He highlighted some of the reasons making Hunan a well suited partner in development to include;

UIA has a plan to develop 4 regional science and technology parks and it is well-known that Hunan Province is home to Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zones that have major industries that include biotechnology, food processing and heavy industry.

It is also known that Hunan University is one of the most prestigious public research universities in China. Its Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Design and International Trade programs are some of its strongest.

He informed the meeting that this would concretise the collaboration that began sometime back in August 2016, when Mr. Xu Xiang Ping, the Hunan Provincial Director General, led a delegation to attend a one-day Hunan- Uganda Investment Conference here in Kampala. Since then Uganda’s Embassy in Beijing had also been very instrumental in following up on the commitments made to strengthen the collaboration.

An overview on UIA’s mandate to develop Industrial & Business Parks around the country to create jobs and ease accessibility of land for investments was provided. Uganda Free Zones Authority was invited to inform the delegation about the opportunities for investment in the establishment and management of Free Zones. The delegation was later taken on a guided tour round Kampala Industrial Business Park in Namanve, and Roofings Company Ltd.

The Hunan Uganda Trade and Investment Cooperation Conference

The delegation visit was concluded with a Uganda Hunan Trade and Investment Cooperation Matchmaking Conference, which was presided over by the Rt Hon Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda and attended by the Ambassadors of both countries as well as various Ministers, Heads of institutions and private sector. H.E Dr. Chrispus Kiyonga, Uganda’s Ambassador to China, said that the forum was opportune to consolidate business to business linkages and a platform to formulate trade and investment exchange mechanisms.

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Uganda, H.E Mr. Zhen Zhuqiang, noted that Uganda has enjoyed great stability and the business environment is booming with the economy expected to grow at 5.8% in the coming financial year 2018/19.

He further noted that the service sector grew by 7.3% and the Industrial sector expanded by 6.2% in 2017/18. He stated that Economic trade between the two countries has been beneficial in sectors such as construction and infrastructure. He highlighted new possible partnership areas to include Tourism, Agriculture and Energy.

He called upon the members to participate in the upcoming Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that will be held in September 2018 in Beijing China. H.E. Mr. Xu Dazhe, Governor of the people’s Government of Hunan Province noted that Uganda and Hunan shared similarities such as the friendliness of the people and committed to the two countries working together. He noted that potential areas for exchange between the two countries include Energy and metallic minerals and suggested that a new model of cooperation needs to be formed to concretize the already existing cooperation in tourism, construction and industry and agriculture. He affirmed that the economic integration between Hunan and Uganda will grow and result in economic development.

The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, during his key note address, raised a question as to why the two countries hadn’t yet developed their relationship to a vibrant commercial law that is beneficial to both countries. He said that Uganda had for a long time been unresponsive to exporting the desired quantities and qualities needed and infrastructure has been a significant bottle neck.;

‘The good news now is with the help of Chinese companies; the power dams that have just been constructed (Karuma and Isimba) will increase the amount of electricity and help reduce the cost of production. Further, roads

also being worked on and the coming of the Standard Gauge Railway will reduce the cost of transportation.’

He recommended the need to create quota free exportation of goods as one of the outcomes of the partnership. However, Ugandan products should be value added and competitive in quality in order to benefit from the exchange. He emphasised the need to stop wrong elements in trade and urged the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to ensure the quality of goods by putting in place punitive measures. He informed the conference participants that a special mechanism had been put in place to deal with doing business with China.

The Prime Minister, Governor of Hunan, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, as well as the Ambassadors of Uganda and China, witnessed the signing of the Framework Memorandum of Understanding.

During the afternoon one on one sessions, the Executive Director, Mrs Jolly Kaguhanigre, held discussions with the Provincial and business representatives from Hunan, who reiterated their interest in collaboration with UIA to develop agro processing, food processing, pharmaceuticals and mineral beneficiation industrial parks.

Focused discussions on tourism, mining and agriculture / agro processing were also held with identified Ugandan private sectors and relevant Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Site Visits Upcountry

On 21st June 2018, Uganda Grain Council together with UIA and investors from Hunan Province in China travelled to Masindi and Luwero Districts. These visits were a follow up of the Uganda Grain Council visit to Hunan Province in China on invitation of the Uganda Embassy in China.

The visits to Masindi and Luwero districts were aimed at showcasing the potential of Uganda to grow maize, soybeans, simsim and chia seeds. The Uganda Grain Council was also looking to gain market from the Hunan province for the grains. The team toured Asili farms which are operated by a group called the Joseph’s initiative. It is a group of 4 farms totaling 15,000 acres.

The farms grow sunflower, maize, soy bean and sorghum on a commercial level. They also offer training, seeds, fertilizers and crop protection to out growers. The Asili farms are one of the regional grain hubs of the Uganda Grain Council.

The teams also toured the Kehong China– Uganda Agricultural Industrial Park (CUAIP) located in Butuntumula Sub-county, Luweero District. This is a joint venture between the Government of Uganda and China. The Agricultural Park focuses on growing of seeds for rice and the growing of rice on a commercial scale. During the tour the operators of the industrial park informed the team of plans to venture into large scale poultry production. 

Going forward on the Grain Collaboration

The delegation from Hunan requested the Grain Council to provide them with exporters of sim-sim, Soy beans, maize and Cotton seed cake so they can partner and do business. The Grain Council in turn also requested Uganda Investment Authority to work closely with the Council to facilitate them in growing their capacity and seeking export opportunities to different markets.

The delegation also visited NARO and appreciated the level of research Uganda is at. They then travelled to Masindi, Kiryandongo and Nakasongola to visit farms of Soya beans, maize, sunflower and sorghum.

The Chairman of the Uganda Grain Council, Mr Chris Kaijuka, stressed the need to identify and agree on commodities of exchange focusing on quantities and qualities. He said Uganda may need support in adding value to the grains inform of provision of equipment for processing and drying.

The Grain Council is going to develop a road map for the exchange mechanism to include short, medium and long term plans. Hunan is more than ready to absorb US$ 500 million is imports from Uganda

Guangzhou delegates interested in Uganda’s energy sector

An 18 man group from Guangzhou visited Uganda Investment Authority with a sole aim of strengthening the economic and trading cooperation between Guangzhou and Uganda and as well invest in their areas of interest.

They were received by Mrs. Sheila Mugyenzi, the Investment Promotion Division Director who introduced to them the 4 government priority sectors namely agro processing, mineral beneficiation, ICT and tourism.

The delegates led by Guangzhou Municipal Commission of Commerce were instead interested in the energy sector, light industry, logistics and assembling of motorcycles. UIA welcomed them to take up the investment opportunities available and committed to support their startup and stay in Uganda to do business.

Birya United Agencies

Seeking Regional Expansion

Birya United Agencies was registered and commenced business in November of 2003 with a share capital of 2,000,000 (two million) ugsh. In the 15 years of its existence Birya United Agencies has been supplying and trading in agricultural and industrial items. Its main focus being on Maize flour, milled rice, dry beans, sugar, fire wood, cooking oil, vegetables and other agricultural and processed items.bilya_2

To date Birya United Agencies has acquired a wide range of reputable clients including the Ministry of Defense, Uganda Police, Prisons, Mbarara University, Ntare School and others. The company has 14(fourteen) permanent staff of which 6(six) are female with scores of casuals.

In an interview Uganda Investment Review had with the Managing Director and Founder of Birya United Agencies, Robert Rutebemberwa, it was revealed that Birya United Agencies now has a turnover in the range of 11-15 billion Ushs per annum.

Asked about the Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Survey 2017 in which Birya United Agencies participated, the Managing Director said, ‘this was a great motivator to our team as it showed we can improve and achieve greater tasks ahead. Our performance improved from the 57th position in the 2016 Top 100 Survey to 7th in the 2017 edition of the Top 100 Mid-Sized companies Survey’.

Mr. Rutebemberwa further pointed out three major achievements of participating in the Top 100 SME survey as the recognition of Birya United Agencies as a company with growth potential. This gave the staff a sense of pride and has motivated them to keep improving. He also pointed to the vast networking opportunities with a wide range of business leaders that were presented by the event. Also learning about the myriad of investment opportunities in the country from UIA was another major achievement.

He decried the challenges SMEs like Birya United Agencies face with commercial bank lending rates and suggested the Government consider fixing commercial lending rates at 15% p.a. He mentioned the price fluctuations due to seasonal changes and suggested that Government roles out a plan for irrigation in the country as a way to stabilize produce prices. Then the over 200 (two hundred) debtor days government suppliers have to endure to get paid as a major challenge on SMEs. He suggests that Government would do well to stick with a quarterly release of funds and maintain budget discipline.

On working with Private Equity and Venture Capital firms to access cheaper capital, he was quite receptive of the idea considering that this source of funds would be cheaper than commercial loans. He also agrees that the Private equity and venture capital firms bring on board much needed expertise that would improve the business.

He envisages a Birya United Agencies that will be exporting grain and other processed goods to the East African region and beyond in the next five to ten years and employ more than double the current number of employees.

 

Head Office:

Plot 69/71 Machan Singh St. (Mahembe G’ente)
P.O. Box 18 Mbarara, Uganda

Kampala Office:

Suite 81, Ground Floor
Hotel Equatorial Arcade
+256 782 020999
+256 752 614390
rutebemberwarobert@gmail.com

AgriNet Uganda Limited

Changing Poor Livelihoods Among Smallholder Farmers

AgriNet Uganda Limited is incorporated in Uganda and has been operational for ten (10) years now, providing a range of services to the agricultural sector. It was recognized among the top one hundred (100) small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in the 2017 edition of the TOP 100 SME Survey that is conducted annually by KPMG, Daily Monitor, DFCU Bank and supported by Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) among others.agrinet_4

AgriNet operates a network of over three hundred (300) local entrepreneurs who provide market access services including agricultural market intelligence, supply chain management, agro-processing or value addition and agribusiness development training services.

The company has a four (4) member Board of Directors, twenty two (22) technical and administrative staff based at the head office in Kampala and the two (2) regional offices in Lira and Tororo.agrinet_2

Overview

AgriNet believes that the poor livelihoods among smallholder farmers in Uganda can be changed through long term market engagement and gradual attitude change. This should be focused on all actors along commodity value chains. Farmers’ market behavior suggests that in order to reduce their poverty levels, there is need for approaches that better meet their needs, increase their productivity and incomes and empower their entry into the formal market economies. 

Products and Services

The key products and services that AgriNet Uganda Ltd deals in include: trading in grain, processing grain and offering consulting services across the value chains that it operates in. The company is set to further expand its processing arm, with addition of new machinery, improvement of processed products and expansion to EAC regional market in the next five years.  

The Market and Customer

The key market segments that AgriNet serves include: Industrial buyers (who buy to process e.g. sorghum to beer), institutional buyers (who are large consuming customers like schools and hospitals), household buyers (who buy from supermarkets and shops), distributors, brokers, and various parties interested in the company’s consulting services in agribusiness.

AgriNet’s vision

To have an efficient, reliable, transparent and fair agricultural input and output market, that includes small scale farmers and all actors in the marketing chains.

AgriNet’s mission

To increase the access of all market actors to domestic and export markets through making transparent links all along the marketing chains from small scale farmers to volume and quality buyers. 

AgriNet’s core values

These include; transparency, reliability, accountability and integrity. AgriNet’s values ensure that small farmers are our focus and that they get a price that is fair. All our dealings are transparent to all parties involved and we keep our promise of produce quality to our clients. 

Development partners

AgriNet works with a number of partners on development projects aimed at supporting farmers’ access to markets.

Some of these include: World Food Programme (WFP), Innovation for Poverty Alleviation (IPA), International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and World Vision among others. We also work with private companies like Uganda Breweries Limited, Beyonic Ltd and others. 

Strategic Objectives

The specific objectives of AgriNet over the next 5 year period include the following:

To increase out-reach to small scale farmers from 20,000 to 60,000;

To expand our grain processing and storage capacity by tenfold;

To more than triple our sales;

To attract, develop and retain motivated personnel that are committed to the achievement of the company’s objectives;

To acquire product and process certification from UNBS

 

Address

Suite No. 6 Kiwatule, Kampala
Plot 163 Ntinda-Naalya Road
Mob. +256 776 808183,
+256 757 495 950
Email: pnyende@agrinet.net
Web: www.agrinetug.net

Ambreco holdings limited

Ambreco Holdings Ltd was registered and commenced business in 2009. The company’s main business includes construction of buildings, water facilities, warehouses and valley dams.

Ambreco Holdings Ltd has ten(10) permanent staff and takes on casuals as need arises. Ambreco Holdings Ltd’s main clients include the Ministry of Water and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, District local Governments and private developers. Its annual turnover is in the range of two (2) to three(3) billion Uganda shillings.

Ambreco Holdings Ltd was a successful participant in the Top 100 mid-sized companies survey and was listed among the top 100 performing SMEs for 2017. The Top 100 Mid-size Company’s survey 2017 which was managed and coordinated by KPMG and the Daily Monitor with support from Uganda Investment Authority was a well attended event and a good initiative for SME businesses that participated. Among the major achievements from participating, was understanding the benefits of making the business formal, keeping proper books of accounts and the wide visibility Ambreco Holdings Ltd got from participating in the Top 100 Mid-size Company’s survey 2017.

Ambreco Holdings Ltd continues to face challenges of access to cheap capital and competition for Government contracts and urges UIA (Uganda Investment Authority) to encourage Government to set aside contracts for local firms.

Ambreco Holdings Ltd is looking forward to working with private equity firms and venture capital firms to improve SME capacity. We want to learn more about them and from them too and also work with Uganda Investment Authority to promote local content.

In the next five(5) to ten(10) years Ambreco Holdings Ltd will reach an annual turnover of 15 billion Uganda shillings

Address:

Ambreco Holdings Ltd
Plot 28/30 Bombo Road,
Teachers Hse, Bombo Rd

Sanqua Engineering Ltd

Sanqua Engineering Ltd was initially established as a Sanitation and Water Engineering firm. It was incorporated in Uganda in 2004 with Ugandan directors, one Civil Engineer and one Mechanical Engineer. It’s headquarters are situated at Soroti on Plot 17, Moroto road.

Our core areas of operation include construction, manufacturing and renewable energy. In construction we are into roads, water and sanitation and building infrastructure. In manufacturing we are into concretes, furniture and briquettes while in renewable energy we are into biogas.

Our activities include housing construction, construction and Management of Water Infrastructure, Construction of Low Cost Sanitation infrastructure with focus on Peri-Urban Slums and Rural Poor. We are also involved in Solid waste collection, treatment and reuse, Low cost emptying hand pump for septic tanks and drainable latrines, Management of public toilets on highways and Ecological Sanitation.

Our concrete products include;

Concrete Culvert pipes, Concrete Blocks, Concrete Poles, Road Kerbs, etc

We also manufacture Household furniture, School Furniture and Office furniture. We hire out light construction equipment and tools and also sell art pieces and sculpture.

In the short to medium term we plan to acquire heavy construction equipment, concrete production equipment and briquette manufacturing machines Currently we have thirteen (13) staff. Three(3) managers, eight(8) technicians and two(2) support staff.

We hire scores of casuals as and when need arises. 

Vision, Mission and Values

Our vision is to be the leading concrete products manufacturing and infrastructure Construction Company in Uganda

Our mission is to provide the best affordable construction services and process and manufacture high quality concrete products, furniture and briquettes while contributing to the public infrastructure development and environmental conservation in the country

Core Values include: Professionalism, Creativity and innovation, Integrity, Unity of purpose, Team work, and Efficiency

Business address:

Plots: 53, 55, and 57-59 Temele
Industrial Road, Soroti Industrial and Business Park

Po Box 250, Soroti
+256 755215440, +256 772895019,
sanqu.ug@gmail.com
Epuwat Ignatius (Eng): B. Eng (Civil)
HDC,ODWE, PGDPPM
Okwi Enos (Eng): MBA, B.Eng
(Mech), HDM,ODM

Power Technical Services uganda ltd

Project Managers, Constructors, Water Engineers, Plumbing Services, Consultants,
P.O. Box 27845 Kampala Tel. Office: 0751 085225 Mob: 0782 519458
Email: jhabyarimanana@gmail.com

 

Power Technical Services was registered and commenced business in 2005. Its Head office is located in Zana, Entebbe Rd and has over 30 staff, consisting of managers, MIS specialists, business advisors and a full complement of engineers, planners and management and technical consultants. Its main clients are Ministry of Water and Environment and the Ministry of Local Government. Presently Power Technical Services has a turnover of 1.4 billion shillings.

Power Technical Services has a varied product and service offering that includes:

Utility management and Environmental planning

Management and protection of natural resources, environment impact assessment, training and capacity building on environment matters. It has acted as a pioneer in the integration of environmental concern in the design of projects in a positive way. 

Urban development

Project management accounting, building construction, sites and services, water supply, drainage and wastewater (management).

Energy

Planning, identification, programming, evaluation and monitoring of projects. 

Human resource management and training

Power Technical Services Uganda Ltd, offers professional consulting services in the area of training needs assessment (TNA), design and conducting of training programs, training of trainers (TOT), job grading, evaluation and organizational restructuring plus remuneration studies. 

Organization and management

Organization and functional analysis of private companies and public administrations, restructuring programs, diversification of activities, auditors, re-organization of projects, definition and implementation of management systems, strategic planning, contract performance, computerization of projects, 

Engineering

Power Technical Services Uganda Ltd carries out comprehensive feasibility studies for industrial rehabilitation and social services projects. Similarly, the firm offers supervision and monitoring services for the implementation of such projects.

Marketing

Develop clear marketing plans and strategies, assist clients to launch new products, investigate and analyse markets for products already existing on the market, through properly established market research methodologies, determine the market share levels of competitions and introduce aggressive marketing strategies and after sales forecasts. 

Building construction

Our building department offers clients internationally recognized capabilities in architectural, structural, civil and mechanical/ electrical design and extensive construction management experience. Power Technical Services Uganda Ltd provides clients with innovative, practical and durable, low cost maintenance facilities. 

Water resources and irrigation

Power Technical Services Uganda Ltd has been involved in the planning, design and implementation of water resources and irrigation projects for quite some reasonable time. Much of this work involves engineering, planning, design and construction supervision measured against technical, economic, institutional and environmental criteria in order to ensure national and regional long term sustainable development.

Programme management

Our program management experts provide our clients with increased control and more efficient delivery of their planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance activities. Using the latest information technology and management methods, we administer and deliver projects to specific standards of quality, on time and within budget.

Utility services

Our utility services provide a comprehensive range of services to electric, gas, water and waste utility companies.

Environment services

Our internationally recognized environment group brings a unique combination of experience and capability to move projects expeditiously through the planning and permitting process. Our environmental specialists have provided services for a wide range of facilities including transportation and other major civil works; park and ecological restoration areas; and industrial, commercial and residential development. PTS’s successful completion of numerous designs conducted to create, enhance and restore habitats, have gained the firm international peer recognition in the ecological restoration and environmental engineering sciences. Our environmental group also provides a full range design services for water, wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal projects

Procurement management services

PTS’s procurement management department though very recently established, integrates a group of senior Uganda expert with certified long and consolidated experience in procurement management. Procurement management services constitute PTS’s core consulting business. In order to best suit its clients’ needs, the firm provides a number of specialized procurement management services. Each of these services entails an in-depth degree of involvement of PTS staff, working alongside the client, to provide an increasingly sophisticated and comprehensive intervention.

Power Technical Services had a very rewarding experience with its participation in the Top 100 Mid-size Company’s survey 2017. We received very useful training and insights on financial record keeping and got exposure to various companies who we now view as potential clients. As an SME business in Uganda we are very undercapitalized but we are open to working with willing private equity and venture capital firms. We would also appreciate support from Government in the form of capitalization like is the case with Chinese firms that get capital support from their Government.

In the medium term (5 to 10 years) we expect Power Technical Services to be operating with 50 billion shillings capital and employing over 100 youths.

 

Power Technical Services
Zana, Entebbe Rd
Phone: 0701519458,0782519458,077 2527236.
jhabyarimana@gmail.com

Tailor-made cargo distribution and transportation services

Brief

Express Logistics Group Ltd was founded and incorporated in 2005 as a comprehensive Transportation and Distribution organization offering tailor – made services to our clients. Express Logistics Group Ltd focuses on providing a progressive, qualitative and efficient service to its clients in its extensive operation programme.

Our range of services include Cargo transport, Warehousing, Removals, imports/Exports, Break down services, Car hire and procurement work.

Our vision is to be one of the leading investment groups in major sectors of the Ugandan economy.cargo_3cargo_2

Our service

The experience we have acquired as Express Logistics Group Limited has enabled us to understand the needs and demands of our clients for fast, efficient and reliable services using the most efficient means and at competitive rates.

We have dedicated staff supported with state of the art communication systems that are well versed with the handling of all the necessary procedures and documentation to ensure your Cargo reaches its destination safely, securely and on time.

Express Logistics Group prides itself in being able to meet customers’ highest levels of satisfaction. Our services have made us a dependable firm in distribution and transportation, in Uganda, East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi), the DRC and other parts of Africa.

Our service virtues

Our service virtues insist on the following. Regular update on all cargo we are handling on your behalf. Appropriate and prompt constructive advice where requested. Developing personal customized relationships between our company and clients.

Regular interval reports on our activities to concerned clients.

 

Range of Services 

Cargo Transportation

As one of the transport operating entities with in and across the region, Express Logistics Group Ltd. is capable of handling bulk like containerized traffic, grain, liquid petroleum gas, various petroleum products and any other cargo which requires to be moved from one point to another.

 

Warehousing:

As a logistics company we have secure and easily accessible warehousing facilities and with our associates we have sufficient space to store in excess of 25000 MT in Kampala. 

Imports and Exports/Clearing and Forwarding

We execute various customs clearance activities at our offices in Kampala and through our associates in Mombasa, Malaba, Dar-es-Salaam, Kigali, Goma and Entebbe as a means to ensure that our clients’ consignments are promptly delivered.

Procurement Work

We can handle all forms of procurement work

Break Bulk Distribution

This package is designed for clients with smaller consignments that cannot make up a full truck load. With this service, we consolidate cargo from different clients with goods to be delivered along the same route into our store and deliver when a truck load is raised.

Car Hire

We own a fleet of vehicles ranging from four wheel drive station wagons, mini-buses and saloon cars, these vehicles are available for hire on both short and long term periods, we boast of a dedicated team of drivers and safari guides.

 

Our Clientele:


United Nations Children’s Emergency
Fund (UNICEF)
Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS
Foundation
Mildmay Uganda
RTI International
Management Sciences for Health –
USAID
World Food Program (WFP)
International Organization for Migration
(IOM)
UNDP
British Council
Concern Worldwide
IntraHealth – USAID
RECO – PIN : USAID
Action Aid International in Uganda
PACE
International Union for the
Conservation of Nature
ACF – International
OXFAM GB
Unilever Uganda
Christian Children’s Fund
Gentex Enterprises LTD
ABB (U) LTD
Kiir Multi Business Southern Sudan
Hl Investments Ltd
Petrocity (U) Ltd
Uganda Health Marketing Group
Mission Pharma
Threeways Distribution Limited
Kampala Pharmacuetical Industries

 

Location

We are located on

EXPRESS LOGISTICS COMPLEX

Plot 49B Cloucester Avenue,

Kyambogo, opposite Face Technology

P.O.Box 40114 Kampala – Uganda

Tel: 0414- 289045/7, 0392- 961629,

0772-509784, 0753-508017

Fax: 0414- 289047

Email: info@expresslogistics.ug

WEBSITE: www.expresslogistics.ug

Development of industrial Parks in the kampala Metropolitan area

General Overview

Uganda Investment Authority is establishing 23 Industrial & Business Parks and 4 regional Science and Technology Industrial Parks across the Country to create jobs and ease accessibility of land for investments, Introduce new research, technologies and skills development as well as boost Uganda’s exports and therefore increase its revenue base.

The setting up of industrial parks also adds value to locally available raw materials thus boosting the agricultural and mineral sectors.

In addition, new manufacturing and other skills are being acquired by the citizens as well as increasing trade in new products and improving on those already under production. The investors contribute heavily to Uganda’s Tax income through payment of the relevant duties such as VAT, Income Tax and Withholding tax.

Kampala Industrial and Business Park (KIBP), Namanve

The Kampala Industrial and Business Park (KIBP) located 11 km East of Kampala, is a 2,200 acre facility located partly in Wakiso (Kira Municipal) and Mukono (Mukono municipal) Districts.

To date, all the land has been allocated to 295 prospective investors for development in various sub-sectors such as agro processing, mineral processing, ICT, t logistics and freight, warehousing, general manufacturing as well as Tourism promotion activities. 

Land Allocation Criteria

On 31st March 2009 the UIA Board of Directors approved a pricing Policy for land at KIBP at USD 80,000 per acre. The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in a letter dated 27th September 2010, agreed with the UIA Board on the price of USD 80,000 per acre.

The companies applying for land have to submit 5 different documents including Registration certificate Investment Licence Business Proposal Evidence of Financing Sketch map of proposed land utilization

These applications are then evaluated under the following criteria:i. Economic Consideration This requires examining the number of jobs to be created, amount of capital investment and the level of export orientation of the project. In addition the tax contribution of the existing company is to be considered.

Financial Capability

This covers the availability of financial resources to implement the project (vide Bank Reference letters) and, for existing investments, appraisal of the financial health of the business.

Environmental Consideration

This takes into consideration the impact of pollution of individual projects.

Technical Assessment

This considers justification for the amount of land applied for. It is achieved by examining the proposed factory layout and the proposed investment in built-up space.

National/Regional Projects

This refers to the importance/impact of the project at the national/ regional level.

Land Payment Schedule

The UIA Board of Directors approved a Land Sales Payment Schedule as follows:

Initial Payment of 10% of lease price of the plot upon signing of the agreement.

Second Payment of 30% of the lease price of the plot, within six (6) months of the date of signing the lease agreement.

Third Payment of 30% of the lease price of the plot, within twelve (12) months of the date of signing of lease agreement.

Final Payment of 30% of the lease price of the plot, within twenty four (24) months of the date of signing of the lease agreement.

Incentives to Attract Strategic Investments into Kampala Industrial and Business Park

According to the approved Pricing Policy, the Government put in place special incentives in order to maximise the benefits of attracting strategic investments into the Kampala Industrial and Business Park.

Government identified four priority sectors namely; Agro processing, Information and Communication Technology (ICT)/Business Process Outsourcing/ (BPO), Mineral Beneficiation and Hotels and Tourism to qualify for fully subsidised land. On 6th November 2009, the UIA Board of Directors approved sub-criteria for the projects in these sectors to access fully subsidized land in the park.

Current Level of Development

Twenty (20) industries are currently in operation within the Kampala Industrial and Business Park directly employing 11,000 Ugandans within the park, Sixty five (65) projects have commenced construction and have created an additional 17,000 indirect short term contract/ technical jobs during this period while 139 industries are still processing their paper work in terms of obtaining the environmental impact assessment certificates, architectural designs, land titling, geotechnical and hydrological studies. These too create employment to the various white collar professionals such as Architects, Environmental Consultants, Civil Engineers; Quantity Surveyors etc.

Up to 71 projects have been newly allocated plots. 

Operational Projects

Some of the operational projects include; Roofings Rolling Mills Limited, FOL Logistics, Kyagalanyi Coffee, COMESA Industries, Orion transformers, Interior Technologies, Valley View Estates, Saba Gifco, Opit Investments Ltd, Victoria Seeds, Century Bottling Ltd (Coca Cola), Sunbelt industries, Three Ways Shipping, Kingstone Enterprises, Diamond Trust Bank, Roke Telecom, Saba Gifco Limited, Hanson Eastern  Investments, Steel and Tube Industries – Phase 1, Saran Agro, Happy Family Welders, Leaf Tobacco, Alfasan – Farm Support Ltd etc.

Some of the Investors at advanced infrastructure development stages include; Toyota, Mukwano Industries, Kazi Group, Mada Hotels, Office of the Prime Minister, DFCU Bank, Uganda Police, Kampala Modernity Ltd, Tian Tang Industries, Luuka Plastics, while others have commenced development such as Vinci Coffee, Spedag Interfreight, SDV transami, Ntake Bakery, among others.

At Full capacity, this industrial park will become the biggest industrial hub in Uganda with 295 industries directly employing 200,000 Ugandans. The total investment capacity is estimated at 3.5 trillion dollars and the industries in KIBP alone will be contributing over 540 million dollars in taxes per annum at full capacity operation by the year 2021. Already several large tax payers are existent in the Industrial Parks like Coca Cola – USD 26.5 M annually, Roofings Rolling Mills Ltd are paying

How relevant are tax holidays to Uganda’s economy?

By ISMAIL MUSA LADU

Despite studies showing tax incentives as ranking among the very least of investors’ worries, the government still generously grants them.
The government has for decades pegged tax incentives to attracting investment, creating jobs and boosting trade.
Recently while issuing developers’ licences to three flowers at Wagagai Flower Farm in Wakiso District, the Minister of State for Privatisation and Investment, Ms Evelyn Anite said the government will continue offering tax holidays in addition to free land as and when investors want them.

According to a recent study titled: Costs of Tax Incentives to Uganda’s Socio-Economic Landscape, tax incentives have not delivered on their expected purpose such as providing jobs, revenue to the government and attracting investment as anticipated.
The study by local and international civil societies indicated that on average, government spends at least Shs75 billion every financial year on a range of companies that are entitled to tax holidays and exemptions on import and excise duties.Read More