Ankole Region Set to Benefit from Two New Industrial Parks and a Hub

The Ankole sub-region is poised for significant economic development with the allocation of substantial land for industrial parks, as announced by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa. President Yoweri Museveni has earmarked a total of 10 square miles for two major industrial parks: five square miles in Ruhengyere, designated for food processing, and another five square miles in Nakivale, Isingiro District.

Complementing these larger parks, the Bushenyi District local government has provided 70 acres of land for the establishment of an industrial hub in Kyeizoba. Tayebwa made these announcements during a burial event in Bushenyi, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fostering value addition and employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.

These developments are particularly significant for Ankole, a region heavily reliant on agriculture, including coffee, dairy, and food production. Industrial parks are designed to provide the necessary infrastructure and a concentrated business environment to process raw agricultural commodities closer to their source, thereby adding value and creating local employment. The Ruhengyere park’s focus on food processing directly aligns with this strategy.

The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) oversees the development and management of such parks, ensuring investors have access to essential services like roads, electricity, water, and waste management. This systematic approach aims to prevent land from remaining idle and encourages timely development by investors.

While Uganda already hosts several operational industrial parks, the success metrics—such as the number of operational factories, attracted investment, and jobs created—vary. The Mbale Sino Industrial Park serves as a positive example, generating over 1,000 jobs and stimulating broader economic activity, including support for local suppliers and service providers.

The initiative in Ankole is part of a national strategy to decentralize industrialization and promote agro-industrialization. The success of these new parks will hinge on efficient land servicing, investor attraction, and the timely operationalization of factories, ultimately aiming to transform Ankole’s economy by moving up the value chain and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

https://nilepost.co.ug/news/370037/museveni-allocates-land-for-two-industrial-parks-in-ankole