The government has renewed its commitment to resolving long-standing infrastructure and service challenges affecting the Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, one of the country’s fastest-growing industrial hubs.
During a visit to the facility on Tuesday, Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (PSST), assured investors that government agencies are prioritizing solutions to persistent issues such as flooding, unreliable power supply, and inadequate infrastructure.
“We are committed to supporting you fully to overcome the infrastructure challenges at the industrial park,” Ggoobi said, emphasizing that industrialization remains central to Uganda’s economic transformation agenda.
He noted that well-functioning industrial parks create essential forward and backward linkages, stimulate manufacturing, and expand opportunities across multiple sectors.
Government, Investors Explore New Strategies
Ggoobi, accompanied by senior ministry officials, held meetings with park management to review progress and propose additional interventions. The delegation explored strategies such as:
Establishing skilling centres to boost industrial labour capacity
Promoting local raw materials to drive import substitution
Supporting export expansion to regional and global markets
Strengthening the park’s operational efficiency and resilience
Investors Welcome Government’s Intervention
Paul Zhang, Chairman of Tian Tang Group, which manages operations at the park, expressed appreciation for the government’s consistent support. He revealed that the park currently employs over 12,000 Ugandans and continues to diversify into sectors including real estate and tourism, further contributing to Uganda’s industrial growth.
Key Projects Underway to Resolve Major Challenges
The visit was aimed at fast-tracking solutions to the industrial park’s most pressing challenges. Among the top priorities:
Construction of a dedicated drainage channel to prevent flooding
Installation of a mobile power substation to stabilise electricity supply
Broader infrastructure upgrades, including roads and service utilities, to support existing and incoming investors
Officials stressed that resolving these challenges is vital for improving productivity, protecting investments, and enhancing Uganda’s competitiveness as a manufacturing destination.
