KAMPALA — State Minister for Privatisation and Investment, Amina Mukalazi, has called on all stakeholders to intensify the fight against corruption in Uganda’s private sector, warning that graft continues to undermine investor confidence and economic growth.
Mukalazi made the remarks Wednesday during a high-level meeting with Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit Col. Edith Nakalema and newly appointed Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna. The meeting, held at Nakalema’s Kampala office, was also attended by representatives from the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U), and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)
In the aftermath of assumption of duty as ministers, Col. Nakalema sought to warm the working relationship with her stakeholder ministers Tanna and Mukalazi to deliver on her mandate across the ministries.
President Museveni recently established the Statehouse Local Content Unit (SHLCU) that he mandated with ascertaining that all foreign investment meets the country’s local content standards, the success of Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU), and that procurement procedures in the country are followed strictly to accommodate the 30 percent policy towards special interest groups, and that labour and employment standards are adhered to by foreign investors.
As Head of the Local Content Unit, Mukalazi has had regular interface with the Investors’ Protection Unit and the Ministry of Trade. Now as minister, her mandate is enhanced to oversee the country’s private sector growth, supervise investment promotion, and manage state-owned enterprise reforms.
“When Col. Nakalema established this anti-corruption office, I visited it then, and I am very pleased with what it has become today. I call upon all our stakeholders to join her in the valiant fight against corruption. Let us all join our hands and intensify this fight.” Mukalazi said.
On his part, Tana avowed his practice of “an open door” policy. He castigated red tape as a big hinderance to progress and an abetting factor of corruption. “My office shall always be open and any anomalies should be reported promptly.” The minister said.
Nakalema urged the ministers to maintain close engagement with investors and ensure that concerns affecting businesses are addressed promptly.
She noted that investor confidence is critical for attracting new investments and expanding existing enterprises.
Uganda is now a regional investment hub with the growth of the oil and mineral sectors. Beyond that, trade volumes within the region and international partners have increased significantly, with minerals and manufactured goods overtaking the contribution of the agricultural sector.
She attributed the recent increase in foreign direct investment to Uganda’s electronic investors portal which is an innovation of her statehouse unit, in partnership with Huawei.
