What Uganda Investment Authority does

Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) is a statutory government agency of Uganda established in 1991 under the Investment Code (revised 2019), headquartered in Kampala with a staff of 11-50. It serves as the country's principal investment promotion and facilitation body, functioning as a one-stop gateway for both domestic and foreign investors seeking entry into the Ugandan market. Its core mandate covers licensing, advisory, aftercare, and policy advocacy across nine priority sectors including agro-processing, manufacturing, ICT, mining, tourism, energy, oil & gas, real estate, and pharmaceuticals.

UIA operates an integrated service platform anchored by its One Stop Centre, which co-locates Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), and Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to consolidate regulatory processing. The agency also runs the eBiz digital portal and the Bankable Projects portal for deal origination, and administers 14 operational industrial and business parks across the country, with 25 planned in total. Investment licenses are issued free of charge with a stated 24-hour turnaround, and UIA coordinates regional One Stop Centres inside its industrial parks to streamline investor onboarding at the park level.

The agency's business model is non-commercial: UIA does not generate revenue from licensing fees (licenses are free), and is funded through allocations from the Government of Uganda budget. Its economic impact is measured through FDI inflows mobilized ($2.99B in 2023, $3.30B in 2024, with a $5.4B pipeline projected around the 2026 election cycle), the number of licensed projects (481 in FY2024/25), and the operational count of companies in its parks (463). Cumulative investment mobilized is reported at $5.881 billion. UIA has executed bilateral investment forums with Singapore, China, the UAE, South Africa, the DRC, and Somalia, and has established a Diaspora Investment Unit and an SME Integration Initiative to broaden its outreach.

Name

Uganda Investment Authority

Legal name

Uganda Investment Authority

Website

https://ugandainvest.go.ug

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Uganda Investment Authority is a statutory government agency that promotes and facilitates domestic and foreign investment in Uganda through free licensing, a One Stop Centre, nine priority sectors, and a network of 14 operational industrial parks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Investment Promotion Services

NAICS

International Affairs (92812)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Official Development Assistance (ODA) Program Management (BPADAOAC)

Keywords

• Investment promotion services
• Industrial park management
• Investor facilitation
• Business licensing services
• Government investment agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Kampala

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Investment License Processing: Investment license issuance and processing services provided free of charge to qualifying investors. UIA serves as the chief investment promotion agency of the Government of Uganda.
2. Industrial Park Management: Development and management of industrial and business parks across Uganda, providing infrastructure and serviced land to investors for manufacturing and industrial operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) is a statutory government agency that promotes and facilitates investment in Uganda under the Investment Code 1991 (revised 2019). It provides free investment license processing with a 24-hour approval turnaround, operates a One Stop Centre co-locating Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Registration Services Bureau, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, and NEMA, and develops and manages 25 planned industrial and business parks (14 fully operational) offering serviced land and infrastructure to manufacturing investors across priority sectors.

Product overview

Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) operates as a statutory government agency under the Investment Code 1991 (revised 2019), providing a unified platform of investment promotion and facilitation services. The core offering consists of the Investment License Service (free processing with 24-hour turnaround), the One Stop Centre co-locating key agencies for integrated permitting, and Industrial Parks development and management. Supporting services include Investor Facilitation, Presidential Investors' Round Table, Investor Conferences, and the annual Investor of the Year awards. The Investment Opportunities Portal showcases bankable projects across 9 priority sectors. UIA also runs targeted Domestic Investor Support Programs including SME integration into supply chains. Together, these services form a comprehensive investment lifecycle management platform from lead generation through aftercare.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Investment License Service Free investment license processing and issuance service for foreign investors (minimum USD 250,000 capital) and domestic investors (minimum USD 50,000). Applications are submitted through the eBiz portal with a 24-hour approval turnaround.
• Investor One Stop Centre (OSC) Physical and digital one-stop shop co-locating Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Registration Services Bureau, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, and NEMA to deliver integrated business registration, tax identification, standards compliance, and environmental permitting for investors. Accessible at the Uganda Business Facilitation Centre in Kololo, Kampala and via www.ebiz.go.ug.
• Industrial and Business Parks Development and management of 25 planned industrial and agricultural business parks across Uganda, with 14 fully operational. Parks offer serviced land and infrastructure (roads, power, water, waste treatment) for manufacturing companies across sectors including steel, cement, agro-processing, electronics, and automotive. Operational parks include Namanve, Kapeeka, Luzira, MMP Buikwe, and Kampala Industrial and Business Park.
• Investor Facilitation Services End-to-end investment support covering information provision, license and approval coordination, project implementation assistance, and aftercare services throughout the investor lifecycle.
• Investment Opportunities Portal Web-based portal showcasing investable bankable projects across 9 priority sectors: Agro Industrialization, Tourism, Mineral Value Addition, ICT, Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Energy, Electronics, and Edible Oils. Includes downloadable bankable project documentation.
• Presidential Investors' Round Table (PIRT) High-level investor engagement forum connecting investors directly with presidential attention to resolve complex investment challenges and provide policy feedback.
• Presidential Investor Conference Annual flagship conference bringing together investors, government officials, and development partners to discuss Uganda's investment climate, showcase opportunities, and recognize outstanding investors.
• Investor of the Year (INOY) Award Annual awards program recognizing exceptional investors for their contributions to Uganda's economic development, job creation, and industrial growth.
• Domestic Investor Support Program Targeted support for local Ugandan investors including SME profiling for integration into industrial park supply chains, entrepreneurship training, and subsidized industrial park land allocation, with cluster-based approaches in agro-processing, wood and furniture, textiles and garments, and pharmaceuticals.
• Investment Promotion Programs International investment promotion activities including the Home Is Best Diaspora Summit, Annual Ugandan Convention (UAE), Somalia-Uganda Investment and Business Summit, Uganda-DRC Investment Promotion and Market Access Summit, China Uganda Forum, and Uganda-South Africa Trade, Tourism, and Investment Summit.

Quantifiable outcome

• 164,230 jobs created (direct and indirect) through manufacturing in industrial parks
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.

• China Uganda ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Annual bilateral investment forum between Uganda and China. Focuses on trade, investment, and industrial modernization. Multiple Chinese delegations visit Uganda seeking investment opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, infrastructure, and industrial park development.
• Uganda-DRC Investment Promotion & Market Access SummitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral investment summit aimed at promoting trade, investment, and market access between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Uganda-South Africa Trade, Tourism, and Investment SummitmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual bilateral summit promoting trade, tourism, and investment ties between Uganda and South Africa.
• Somalia-Uganda Investment and Business SummitmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral investment summit focused on promoting investment and business opportunities between Somalia and Uganda.
• Annual Ugandan Convention UAEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual convention bringing together Ugandan diaspora and investors in the UAE for investment promotion and engagement.
• Home Is Best Diaspora SummitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUIA investment promotion initiative targeting Ugandan diaspora to encourage investment back home. President Museveni announced a special position will be created within UIA to represent diaspora interests.
• Alfsan Nederland B.VcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in Alfsan Uganda Limited, manufacturing veterinary pharmaceuticals. Netherlands-based company partnering with Ugandan entities for local production.
• Cygnus B.V (Netherlands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in Alfsan Uganda Limited veterinary pharmaceuticals manufacturing project.
• Qualivet B.V (Belgium)Strategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in Alfsan Uganda Limited veterinary pharmaceuticals manufacturing project.
• Green Albertine Uganda LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner with EnviroServ Waste Management of South Africa to establish specialized hazardous waste management facility in Hoima District supporting oil and gas industry.
• EnviroServ Waste Management (South Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth African waste management company partnering with Green Albertine Uganda Limited in joint venture for hazardous waste treatment and disposal facility in Nyamasoga Village, Hoima District.
• Aquassistance FoundationmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Nyamasoga Water Project, a €75,000 investment aimed at improving access to clean and safe water for over 2,000 residents. Supported by SUEZ.
• Nonda Coffee / Saudi Arabian InvestorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Uganda-Saudi Arabia project for Luwero Coffee Park valued at $160 million. Project aims to shift Uganda from raw coffee exporter to exporter of high-value branded coffee products. Led by Ali O Alswayeh.
• Chinese Investors (Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh-level Chinese investor delegations facilitated by Embassy of Uganda in Beijing. Led by Diao Chunhe, Chairman of Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities. Focus on agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, infrastructure, renewable energy.
• African Women in Processing (AWIP) Uganda ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide women entrepreneurs with subsidized certified factory spaces, shared processing facilities, tailored financial instruments, and structured production clusters linked to guaranteed offtake agreements.
• Singapore Business Federation / International Enterprise SingaporemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized Uganda-Singapore Business Forum with 20-member delegation led by Hon Dr. Koh Poh Koon, Minister of State for Trade and Industry in Singapore. Focus on logistics, urban planning, waste management, oil and gas services, fisheries, cosmetics, and spices trade.
• Chinese Delegation / Agape FoundationmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerChinese delegation led by Michael Tsung Run, President of Agape Foundation. 15 Chinese delegates explored investment opportunities in energy generation, transmission and distribution, coffee industry, textile industry, and large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Ukraine Consulate in UgandamoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerUkraine opened consulate in Uganda targeting investments in agricultural value chains. New Consul Jay Patel sees potential for cooperation in agricultural value addition, technology transfer, and mechanization.
• One Stop Centre Partner AgenciescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner agencies within UIA's One Stop Centre including Uganda Registration Services Bureau, Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, and other MDAs providing integrated investment facilitation services.
• American Chamber of Commerce in UgandamoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS business delegation led by Vice President Meg Jaquay visited UIA seeking guidance on viable investment sectors. Focus on priority sectors of agriculture/agro processing, tourism, oil and gas, and ICT development.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest): Kenya's national investment promotion agency, operating a comparable mandate of investment licensing, one-stop facilitation and industrial park/sezone promotion, competing directly with UIA for East African FDI flows.
• Rwanda Development Board (RDB): Rwanda's integrated investment and development authority, offering one-stop investment licensing and special economic zones that compete head-on with UIA for regional FDI and industrial park tenants.
• Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC): Tanzania's statutory single-window investment promotion body, providing licensing, facilitation and SEZ services that overlap directly with UIA's mandate across East Africa.
• Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC): Ghana's national IPA responsible for investment registration, aftercare and promotion, with a directly comparable statutory mandate and service portfolio to UIA.
• Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC): Nigeria's federal investment promotion agency with a similar one-stop facilitation, licensing and aftercare mandate, targeting FDI into priority sectors much like UIA.
• Ethiopia Investment Commission: Ethiopian investment promotion body that UIA's Board chair explicitly benchmarked for industrial park development, indicating direct strategic comparability.
• Mauritius Board of Investment: Mauritius's national IPA offering investment licensing, sector-specific facilitation and aftercare services that mirror UIA's core offering in a smaller jurisdiction.

Broad incumbents

• Invest South Africa (Brand SA / DTI IPA function): South Africa's national investment promotion function, part of a larger Department of Trade, Industry and Competition ecosystem with a broader portfolio than UIA but overlapping FDI attraction mandate.
• BPI France: French national development bank and investment promotion agency, a broader incumbent operating financing, guarantee and FDI attraction functions that are conceptually comparable to UIA's industrial development mandate but at much larger scale.

Others

• World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA): Global membership body of investment promotion agencies that recognized UIA with a Special LDC Award; WAIPA is not a direct competitor but is the institutional ecosystem and standards-setter for entities like UIA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/ugandainvest
• Facebookfacebook.com/ugandainvest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uganda-investment-authority
• Xx.com/ugandainvest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Uganda Investment Authority