By Karim Were
Newly appointed Minister of State for Privatization and Investment, Hajjat Amina Mukalazi, has outlined an ambitious agenda to improve Uganda’s investment climate, pledging to tackle longstanding bottlenecks affecting investors and accelerate the country’s industrial growth.
Speaking during a handover ceremony on Wednesday, Mukalazi officially assumed office from her predecessor, Evelyn Anite, and vowed to work closely with investors, government agencies, and development partners to create a more attractive and competitive investment environment.
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Mukalazi said restoring and strengthening investor confidence will be central to her leadership, noting that collaboration among key stakeholders is essential for addressing challenges that hinder investment and business growth.
She also emphasized the need to promote value-addition investments that generate employment opportunities for Ugandans, while supporting the government’s industrialization agenda and expanding export earnings.
The new minister expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni for entrusting her with the portfolio and praised Anite for laying a strong foundation in advancing Uganda’s investment agenda.
Outgoing minister Evelyn Anite highlighted key achievements during her tenure, including the expansion of Namanve Industrial Park, the establishment of Mbale Industrial Park, and the development of other industrial zones across the country. She pledged her support to Mukalazi as she settles into her new role.
Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi described the investment docket as a critical pillar in Uganda’s drive toward economic transformation and the achievement of the country’s ten-fold growth strategy.
Ggoobi commended Anite for strengthening investor relations and helping position Uganda as an attractive investment destination. He assured Mukalazi of the technical team’s full support, emphasizing the ministry’s commitment to providing timely data, sound policy advice, and professional service delivery.
With a new minister at the helm, attention now shifts to how the ministry will translate policy direction into tangible economic results and attract the investment needed to drive Uganda’s next phase of growth.
