BUSHENYI — President Museveni has allocated land for two industrial parks in the Ankole sub-region and an industrial hub in Bushenyi District, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has said.
Mr Tayebwa said the proposed facilities are expected to promote industrialisation, value addition and employment, particularly for young people in the region.
He made the remarks on Tuesday while representing President Museveni at the burial of the late Mrs Edna Kentaro Baryaruha in Bushenyi District.
He said Bushenyi District had offered 70 acres of land in Kyeizoba for the establishment of an industrial hub.
“As people of Ankole, the President has given us an industrial hub. It will be set up in Kyeizoba. The district has given us 70 acres. We shall start working on it very soon,” Mr Tayebwa said.
He added that the President had also allocated five square miles of land each in Ruhengyere and Nakivale in Isingiro District for industrial parks.
Mr Tayebwa said the Ruhengyere facility would focus on food processing, while the proposed park in Nakivale would support other industrial activities.
“The President has given us two industrial parks. He wrote to me. He has given me five square miles of land for an industrial park in Ruhengyere, which will deal with the processing of foodstuffs. He has also given me five square miles in Nakivale, Isingiro. All these are in writing,” he said.
The announcement comes after President Museveni campaigned on a promise to promote industrialisation and value addition as part of efforts to create jobs and expand economic opportunities.
Mr Tayebwa said the industrial facilities would help create jobs for young people graduating from universities and other institutions.
“These will spur meaningful development in Ankole and generate thousands of jobs for our youth graduating from universities,” he said.
Value addition
Ankole’s economy is largely anchored on agriculture, including dairy farming, coffee growing, livestock rearing and food production.
Mr Tayebwa said the proposed industrial facilities would provide an avenue for processing agricultural products locally instead of relying largely on the sale of raw materials.
He cited Mbale Industrial Park as an example of the potential economic impact of industrialisation, saying the facility had created more than 1,000 jobs.
“Those who don’t know the value of an industrial park, visit Mbale. The industrial park has created more than 1,000 jobs,” he said.
Industrial parks are part of the government’s broader strategy to promote manufacturing, value addition and employment by bringing together industries and related businesses.
The proposed developments in Ankole could also create opportunities for farmers, transporters, suppliers and other small businesses that provide goods and services to industries.
However, implementation of the projects will depend on the development of the allocated land and the establishment of the necessary industrial infrastructure.
For a region with a strong agricultural base, the proposed parks could provide markets for locally produced raw materials while helping businesses move from primary production into processing and manufacturing.
