The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) has today, May 5th 2023, hosted the first ever Northern Uganda Women in Business and Investment Summit at Hotel Le Confidentiel, Arua City.
The summit is running under the theme “Fostering agency, authenticity, connection, and entrepreneurship”. It is intended to provide a platform for long-term social and economic transformation by connecting potential women to the prospects of the economy.
While addressing delegates at the summit, Mr. Mukiza Robert, the Director General of the Uganda Investment Authority, appreciated the people of Northern Uganda for offering the government free land to set up industrial parks in the region.
“I thank Northern Uganda for giving us free land for industrial parks; feasibility studies are almost ready, and you will be prioritized in the parks,” Mukiza said.
He also advised the business women and investors in the region to utilize the available government services offered to different investors in order to spearhead social-economic transformation in Northern Uganda.
“You can access all incentives offered to investors by the government. Get the investment license, and we shall run around for you to get the investment and business services you need,” he said.
Mr. Morison Rwakakamba, the Uganda Investments Authority Chairperson, acknowledged the role of women in the social-economic development of Uganda. He also advised women in business to take advantage of the opportunities before them and invest in the industrial parks that are being set up across the country.
“When women in business succeed, they benefit their families and the country at large. As Uganda Investment Authority, we want to help business women in the community, and the country will eventually succeed,” he said.
Ms. Scholastica, a farmer in Northern Uganda, appreciated the government’s effort to educate the people of Northern Uganda, especially women, on how to succeed in business and investment.
“I have mangoes on four acres, and I came here to learn, especially how to process and add value to the mangoes,” she said.
The summit was attended by different dignitaries, including Hon. Evelyn Anite, the State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization; Patrick Bitature, the chairperson of the Simba Group of Companies; Patricia Ojangole, the Managing Director of the Uganda Development Bank (UDB), and others.
