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Lango industrial parks to employ 10,000 Ugandans
What you need to know:
- Background. The Uganda Investment Authority last month announced a partnership with Uganda People’s Defence Forces to build 25 industrial parks across the country. The new project, whose budget is yet to be finalised, will see new industrial parks built in Arua, Gulu, Lira, Buliisa, Hoima, Nakasongola, Luweero-Nakaseke, Kabarole, Mubende, Mityana, Masaka, Kabale, Bushenyi, Tororo, Rakai, and Iganga districts. This will bring to 32, the number of industrial parks across the country.
Government has revealed that the three industrial parks that will established in Lango Sub-region are expected to employ more than 10,000 people.
According to Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) the parks will be established in Dokolo, Lira, and Oyam districts.
Mr Hamza Galiwango, the director for industrial park development at UIA, on Tuesday confirmed that government had already secured land for the projects.
For instance, the Lira District leadership has allocated 200 acres of land at Aler Farm and Lira City East Division for setting up the park.
The acting secretary for the district land board, Mr Francis Okello Olwa, on Monday said: “As Lira District, we are giving 200 of our 800 acres of land in Aler. We have a freehold title for it.”
Mr Patrick Ogweng, the Lira City deputy clerk, said establishment of the industrial parks will create job opportunities and foster development.
Plans
Mr Bosco Ogwang Edola, the director of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry for north and northeastern Uganda, said the government plans to establish 22 industrial parks across the county in an effort to create jobs.
This week, the State minister for Investment, Ms Evelyn Anite, will visit Lira and Dokolo to follow up on the progress of establishing the industrial parks.
The Dokolo Chief Administrative officer, Mr Isa Mbooge, said: “We have more than 400 acres of land in Koroto on freehold title which we have given to the government for the establishment of an industrial park. We believe this will boost development and job creation.”
Mr James Apili Otto, the Dokolo District chairperson, asked the government to ensure farmers, who are the majority, are not left out in any development initiative.
He said when Ms Anite and her team visit the district they will present to them three key areas that need intervention.
“We want agro-processing factories and fish processing factories since we are blessed with Lake Kwania and Lake Kyoga,” Mr Apili said.
