Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has directed the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) to prioritize the completion of key infrastructure projects in industrial parks, saying improved roads, water and electricity are essential for attracting investors and supporting industrial growth.

Musasizi made the remarks during a meeting with the UIA management team led by Director General Robert Mukiza.

The minister said industrial parks should only be licensed when essential amenities are accessible, adding that investment promotion and facilitation remain a core function of the Ministry of Finance.

Mukiza told the meeting that 14 of the 25 planned industrial and agricultural business parks are fully operational.

He said the operational parks host 463 companies and have mobilized USD 5.881 billion through the park ecosystem while creating 164,230 jobs directly and indirectly, mainly through manufacturing activities.

Mukiza also called for the operationalization of regional One Stop Centres, particularly in operational industrial parks, to bring investment facilitation services closer to investors.

He further urged the government to increase funding for industrial park development and maintenance, while prioritizing negotiations for competitive electricity tariffs and dedicated substations to improve power reliability in the parks.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Privatization and Investment Aminah Mukalazi called for improvements in investor licensing and follow-up to ensure challenges faced by investors are effectively addressed.

She also said the One Stop Centre should be strengthened with staff empowered to make decisions that can speed up the licensing process, adding that all investment incentives should be clearly communicated to prospective investors.

Mukalazi further proposed a review of land ownership arrangements in industrial parks, saying land that remains unutilized for a specified period should revert to the government so it can be allocated to committed investors.