A high-level delegation, including Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, State Minister for Planning and Economic Development Henry Musasizi, and State Minister for Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite, visited the donor-funded Kampala Industrial and Business Park (KIBP) at Namanve. The inspection follows a recent raid by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) on the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) offices as part of investigations into alleged corruption, particularly in the management of the Namanve project. Despite ongoing concerns and anxiety within UIA, the Finance and UIA officials conducted a site visit to assess the progress of works at the industrial park.
The project, financed by a €249 million loan from the UK Export Finance and Standard Chartered Bank, aims to facilitate industrialization by developing infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) hub. However, the project has faced challenges, including claims of extortion, investor frustration, dubious land allocation, and inflated development costs. Although the project is reported to be at 45 percent completion, delays have been acknowledged, with a target completion date set for September 2025.
Despite the ongoing graft probe and the recent IG raid, Minister Anite, responsible for UIA’s supervision, emphasized that the project remains on track. She described the visit as a routine inspection by the ministry’s top leadership and assured that work is progressing despite challenges. Anite addressed previous accusations, stating that accountability measures were taken when issues were initially raised. She also highlighted that legal matters, such as a case involving double allocation of land, have been pursued by investors through the appropriate channels.
Following the IG raid, UIA Director General Robert Mukiza held meetings with senior management and staff to prepare for potential outcomes of the probe. While assuring staff cooperation with the investigation, there is reportedly a climate of panic and anxiety among UIA staff as the focus turns to several managers and the board. The probe is expected to delve into allegations of corruption, with potential implications for officials in the Ministry of Finance, who have been mentioned in whistleblower complaints.
As the investigations unfold, the relationship between the UIA board leadership and top management is reportedly strained, with various issues contributing to the evolving dynamics within the organization. The ongoing scrutiny by the IG is set to shed light on the allegations and determine the extent of any wrongdoing within UIA.
