The State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) and the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI) officials met and discussed partnership opportunities, aimed at promoting investments in Uganda.

During a meeting held at the State House Investors Protection Unit Offices in Kampala, the unit head, Col. Edith Nakalema commended the leadership of UNCCI for promoting and protecting the interests of the business community in Uganda.

Col. Nakalema also explained that the businesspeople under the chamber play a big role in promoting investments in the country since they are a source of income and add value to Uganda products, among other advantages.

She further noted that the SHIPU was initiated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to collaboratively coordinate stakeholders for a secure investment landscape and any collaboration with the unit to push its agenda is highly welcome.

“We should collaborate and promote the business environment in Uganda. It is important to have you by our side because without your experience in managing businesses, we will lack so we need you to always give us guidance,” Col. Nakalema emphasised.

Col. Nakalema thanked the leadership of Uganda Chamber of Commerce and Industry for approaching the unit to discuss the possible areas of collaboration, explaining that the UNCCI is the engine of growth which the government can bank on to transform the economy.

Col. Nakalema also tipped the members on how best they can take advantage and benefit from the Uganda Electronic Investors Protection Portal.

The portal, an initiative of the State House Investors Protection Unit, was launched by President Museveni last year in December with an aim of safeguarding investment processes in the country. 

Col. Nakalema also disclosed that this particular portal has four main functions which include guiding investors (domestic and foreign), reporting mechanism, support enforcement and receiving feedback.

The Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Olive Kigongo said the chamber’s main objective is to promote and protect the interests of the business community, particularly its members who are represented in all the sectors of the economy.

She added that they are looking forward to start working with the State House Investors Protection Unit to improve the investment sector of Uganda.

“We are a multi-sectoral organisation with several business communities. We have 150 regional offices. We are a bridge to different businesses locally, regionally and internationally. On a daily basis we get complaints and inquiries about business opportunities,” Kigongo said.

She also revealed that they have the capacity to do due diligence for Ugandans and the unit to identify investment opportunities and genuine investors.

The Woman Member of Parliament for Ntoroko District, Anne Mary Tumwine underscored the importance of investors in moving the country forward.

The former Attorney General, Fred Ruhindi thanked Col Nakalema for her efforts in coordinating investors in order to create a secure investment environment in the country.

The UNCCI Chairperson, Mbarara City, Thomas Makundane advised that in order to protect the investment climate and ensure protection of investors in Uganda, the government should establish regional investment protection offices and a voluntary team to oversee the activities of the investors in every district.