Ali Mambule
5 January 2009
Kampala — DELEGATIONS from the Chinese embassy in Kampala and investors from China have started inspecting the proposed free-trade area in Rakai as they prepare to invest billions of dollars in the project.
On Saturday, Zhang Aiming, a consular in the economic and commercial department at the Chinese Embassy, led a team of three officials to inspect the area.
They were accompanied by the proprietor of the free-trade zone, Benunula Eyenunula and Rakai district chairperson Vincent Semakula.
"We also want to meet the Rakai stakeholders in this multi- billion project before it kicks off soon," Aiming said while meeting Semakula at Serona Hotel in Kyotera.
Aiming inspected the airstrip constructed by former President Idi Amin at Sango Bay in Mutukula before heading for the Uganda-Tanzania border. He later visited the proposed free-trade zone central business district at Mweyanjale.
Benunula said the project, which is planned to cover 200 square miles, would plan for over 500,000 people who are expected to flock the area to carry out businesses.
"The investors will set up factories and create jobs. We shall also be able to provide more services like good roads and hospitals," Benunula said.
He said the forests and swamps in the area would not be tampered with, adding that they would create a cultural village to have all the different tribes in Uganda.
Semakula told Aiming that Rakai residents were eagerly waiting for the project to start. He urged the proprietors to ensure that the people who would be affected in the process of setting up the project are duly compensated.
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