FEATURE: WEST NILE DISTRICTS URGED TO SECURE INDUSTRIAL PARK LAND

Minister, Beatrice Akello Akori, directed accounting officers and district leaders to Title Industrial Park Land while addressing leaders during the Regional Budget Conference in Arua: Photo//Dramadri Federick

By Dramadri Federick

Arua City

The Minister of State for Northern Uganda in the Office of the Prime Minister, Beatrice Akello Akori, has directed accounting officers and district leaders in West Nile sub region to properly document and submit detailed information on land allocated for the development of industrial parks.

The directive comes amid growing concerns over ownership disputes involving land previously identified and allocated by local governments for industrial development.

Speaking during the Regional Budget Conference for the 2027/2028 Financial Year for Cluster Four local governments in Arua, Minister Akori said proper documentation and titling of industrial park land is essential to protect the land from competing ownership claims and ensure that planned investments can proceed.

She said district authorities should treat the industrial park initiative as an opportunity to stimulate economic growth, create employment and increase local government revenues.

“The president has pledged to construct industrial parks in all the 19 sub regions. District leaders in West Nile should take this opportunity seriously by ensuring all the lands donated are secured through titling. This will not only improve the economy of the region but also create employment for our people,” Akori said.

Several local governments in West Nile have already identified substantial parcels of land for industrial development. Nebbi District has offered 515 acres, with master planning underway and the process of gazetting the land title in progress.

Madi-Okollo District identified approximately 600 acres in Rhino Camp Sub-County, although the status of this land has since become contentious. Yumbe District has identified 1,244 acres for regional industrial expansion, while Moyo District has proposed and offered 200 acres near the Afoji Customs border point.

The varying stages of documentation across the districts have raised the importance of establishing clear ownership and legal status before government proceeds with infrastructure development or invites investors.

Madi-Okollo Withdraws Interest in Industrial Park Land

Stakeholders dialogue on west Nile priorities for 2027/2028: Photo//Dramadri Federick

The situation in Madi-Okollo has become particularly complicated, with the district leadership saying it no longer wants the 600 acres previously handed over to the Ministry for industrial development.

Madi-Okollo District Chairman Drabe Ismail Adirisi said the landowner rejected a proposed tripartite agreement involving the district, the landowner and the government.

According to Drabe, the disagreement has affected the district’s plans to establish an industrial park on the land.

He said the district has since written to the responsible authorities asking that the land previously designated for the industrial park be removed from consideration while the district searches for an alternative site.

“The Madi-Okollo industrial land has reverted to an individual land, so let the people of Madi-Okollo know that we have no industrial park land. It is individual land, and we have written requesting that the land which was already designated be cancelled because it is no longer district land,” Drabe explained.

The development means Madi-Okollo will have to identify and secure alternative land if it is to participate in the planned industrial park programme.

Yumbe Completes Land Documentation

In Yumbe, the district says it has already completed the documentation and registration of land intended for industrial development.

Yumbe District Production Officer Kawawa Rashid said the district has two sites designated for industrial park development and has completed the registration process.

He said the next major requirement is to provide basic infrastructure, particularly electricity and water, to make the sites attractive to investors.

“The district has two industrial park lands and we have already gone ahead to register them. That means we have an opportunity to attract investors. What is left is servicing the area with electricity and water,” Kawawa said.

The district’s emphasis on infrastructure highlights one of the major requirements for turning designated industrial land into functioning investment hubs.

Documentation Seen as Key to Attracting Investors

Stakeholders pose for a photo moment. Photo//Dramadri Federick

Minister Akori said proper documentation of the land is not simply an administrative requirement but an important step toward creating investor confidence.

Unclear ownership, competing claims and disputes over land could delay industrial park development and discourage potential investors from committing resources to the region.

The minister therefore urged accounting officers and district leaders to compile comprehensive information on the land they have allocated, including ownership documentation and the legal status of the respective sites.

The government expects industrial parks to support the growth of manufacturing and other productive activities while creating employment opportunities for local communities.

Industrial Parks and West Nile’s Economic Transformation

The industrial park programme is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote industrialisation and reduce poverty by expanding economic opportunities across Uganda’s regions.

Minister Akori said the initiative championed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni provides an opportunity for West Nile to strengthen its economic base and create jobs for its growing population.

The region’s strategic location, including its proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, gives it potential to serve both domestic and regional markets if adequate infrastructure and investment facilities are developed.

However, securing land remains one of the immediate challenges that district authorities must address before industrial development can take off at scale.

Industrial Parks Already Supporting Employment

The potential economic impact of industrial parks is illustrated by Uganda’s existing industrial development.

On 25th July 2026, Finance Minister Henry Musasizi directed the Management of Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) led by the Director General Robert Mukiza to prioritize the completion of key infrastructure projects including roads, water and power in industrial parks to facilitate their growth and also attract investors.

Musasizi said Industrial parks must be licensed when all amenities are accessible, adding that the investment promotion and facilitation is one of the core functions of the Ministry.

The UIA Director General said 14 out of 25 planned industrial and agricultural business parks are fully operational, adding that 463 companies are fully operational.

He also said USD 5.881 billion has been mobilized by the park ecosystem and 164,230 jobs have been created directly and indirectly led by manufacturing.

According to the Uganda Investment Authority’s 2021 State of Industrial Park Development Report, the country had developed 11 operational industrial and business parks, hosting 166 operational industries.

The report indicated that these industries had created 42,488 direct jobs and 59,800 indirect jobs, bringing the combined number of direct and indirect jobs to 102,288.

As the government advances plans to establish industrial parks across Uganda’s sub regions, West Nile districts are now being urged to resolve land-related challenges early so that the region does not lose opportunities to attract investors and create jobs.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis