Kampala — The Uganda government has allocated UShs34.7 billion (about $16.8 million) to the development of industrial parks.

The money, channeled through Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), will be used to set up 22 parks.

The authority last financial year 2008/2009 was allocated UShs19 billion (about $9,178,744), part of which has been used to acquire industrial parks in Mbarara in western Uganda; Gulu in northern Uganda; Mbale (619 acres) and Soroti both in eastern Uganda.

"This financial year 2009/2010 the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has allocated another UShs15.7 billion (about $7,584,541) for the authority to acquire more industrial parks," said the authority's Executive Director, Dr. Maggie Kigozi.

She said the authority's strategy is to distribute industries and employment opportunities throughout the country.

The initial target is of twenty-two industrial parks in addition to the Kampala Business and Industrial Park (KIBP) at Namanve, some 10 kilometres east of Kampala, and two others in Bweyogerere and Luzira.

Other parks are planned for Lira, Arua, Moroto and Tororo in northern Uganda; Jinja and Iganga in the eastern region; and Masaka, Bushenyi, Kabale, Kasese and Fort Portal in the West.

Others will be in Luweero, Nakaseke, Nakasongora and Mubende in North-Central Uganda.

"However as we are looking for land in other districts, I would like to warn that investors who could have not developed their plots in the first two years. The authority will re-possess the plot and reallocate it to another investor," she said at the handing over of the 219-acre Soroti Business Park on July 24 at Soroti. Soroti is located 330 kilometres east of Kampala.

The land was formerly owned by Col. William Omaria who promised to re-invest the money from the sale into the revival of Teso Agro Industries Uganda Limited.

It will be producing packaged fruits and juices and processed meat targeted at using local fruits and cows in the region for export to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ms. Kigozi said the authority is responsible for acquiring land and establishing full infrastructure that includes water, electricity, tarmac roads and a telecommunications network.

"In addition, we shall be promoting these industrial parks in the investment missions outside and in Uganda," she said.

The proposed developments at Soroti Business Park will include agro-processing, hotels and accommodation, metal and minerals, wood products, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and information and communication technology (ICT) parks, residential areas, logistics, warehousing and transport.