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The Namunkekera–Kapeeka Industrial Park in Nakaseke district will host a trade show from September 27-28, 2024, aimed at attracting local manufacturers and showcasing investment opportunities.

Harriet Namara, the chairperson organizing committee for the trade fair says that the park is designed to accommodate various industries including textiles, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, electrical, construction and food processing factories. (Credit: newvision)

The Namunkekera-Liao Shen Industrial Park in Kapeeka is set to host a trade show aimed at attracting local manufacturers and showcasing the industrial estate’s potential.

The event, scheduled for later this month on September 28 to 27, 2024, shall bring together local industry players and potential investors to explore opportunities in the industrial zone.

Located in Nakaseke district, the factory (Liao Shen Industrial Park) opened in 2017 by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is one of the largest in Uganda, currently employing over 3500 youth out of 15,000 workers spanning an area of 2 square miles.

Harriet Namara, the chairperson organizing committee for the trade fair says that the park is designed to accommodate various industries including textiles, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, electrical, construction and food processing factories.

During a media-guided tour of the industrial zone on Thursday, Namara said that their target is to have 60 factories by 2030.

Currently, the Park has 18 processing factories with another nine under construction.

The complex also has NAPIL Farm Service Centre an outlet which offers: farm inputs, tools, and agricultural training, among other services.

“The trade show aims to promote local content and encourage Ugandan manufacturers to set up shop in the park. We also want to encourage local businessmen who import products that are already manufactured here in Uganda under, Buy Uganda – Build Uganda to stop importing heavily taxed substitutes in other countries,” Namara said.

“We want to showcase the park’s potential and attract local manufacturers to take advantage of the facilities and incentives offered,” she added.

The trade show will feature exhibitions, workshops, and business-to-business meetings. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the park’s facilities, including the recently completed Goodwill Uganda Ceramics Ltd.

Youth workers mend bags at Six Cornerstone Ltd in Namunkekera. (Credit: newvison)

Local manufacturers are eager to explore opportunities in the park. “We are looking for a suitable location to expand our operations, and the Namunkekera-Kapeeka Industrial Park seems like an ideal place,” said Samuel Kawere, working with Namunkekera Agro-processing Industries Limited (NAPIL).

According to Namara, the park offers various incentives, including tax breaks, free land, and access to affordable electricity. These incentives have already attracted some investors, including a Chinese company that has set up a shoe factory in the park.

The trade show is also expected to attract foreign investors. “We are looking for opportunities to invest in Uganda’s manufacturing sector,” said Yang Zheng, the Managing Director of China’s Goodwill Ceramic Co. Ltd.

The Ugandan government has pledged to support the park’s development, recognizing its potential to drive economic growth and create jobs.

“The Namunkekera-Kapeeka Industrial Park is a key component of our industrialization strategy,” said the state minister for Investment and Privatization in the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development, Evelyn Anite.

“We will continue to support its development to ensure it becomes a hub for local and foreign investment,” Anite said.

Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) was tasked to develop 22 industrial and business parks around the country to create more jobs, ease accessibility of land for investments, and introduce new research, technologies and skills development to boost Uganda’s revenue base.

The UIA board in 2017 approved an additional 1 industrial park in Buliisa and 4 regional science and technology industrial parks making a total of 27 industrial parks in total.

The completion of these industrial parks will add value to locally available raw materials thus boosting the agricultural and mineral sectors.