The State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) has called for accelerated reforms in Uganda’s electric mobility and manufacturing policies, urging government agencies to streamline regulations, strengthen infrastructure support, and eliminate bottlenecks affecting investment.
Speaking during a high-level engagement with investors and government officials a in Kampala, the Head of SHIPU, Col. Edith Nakalema, said the government, under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s directive, is committed to ensuring that all value-creating investors receive prompt attention and coordinated support across ministries, departments and agencies.
“We are under instructions of His Excellency the President to ensure that everyone adding value to this country is given the most attentive audience,” Nakalema said.
She noted that the State House Investors Protection Unit was established to coordinate investor concerns by bringing together key technical leaders from government institutions, alongside private sector representatives such as the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA).
Nakalema said Uganda is at a critical moment of transition in the automotive and mobility sector, driven by global shifts toward electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and digitally integrated production systems.
“The automotive sector is undergoing slow but far-reaching transformation globally. The momentum towards electric mobility and software-driven vehicles is exerting pressure on traditional systems. We must move at the pace of the world,” she said.
She urged stakeholders to focus on implementation of previously raised proposals, particularly in areas of policy reform, infrastructure development, and regulatory alignment.
Among the key concerns highlighted were the need for a modernised electric vehicle policy, improvements in manufacturing authorisation frameworks, and enhanced coordination between ministries responsible for industry, transport, and finance.
“We need a supportive electric vehicle policy, we need improved manufacturing authorisation systems, and we need stronger coordination across government,” she said.
Nakalema also pointed to recurring investor concerns related to taxation and regulatory costs, noting that fiscal policy remains a critical factor in attracting investment across all sectors.
“There is no meeting with investors that does not involve tax issues or policy concerns. These must be addressed in a coordinated way,” she said.
She emphasized that State House’s role is not to implement policy directly, but to ensure that investor concerns are escalated and resolved through the appropriate technical institutions.
“Our work is to mobilize relevant government agencies to ensure that investor concerns are addressed. We are not the technical implementers, but we ensure follow-up and accountability,” she said.
On industrial development, Nakalema stressed the importance of local value addition and domestic manufacturing, saying government is keen on strengthening Uganda’s production base while integrating foreign and local investors into supply chains.
“We want to see domestic value addition. We want Ugandans and partners working together to ensure bottlenecks are removed and investment is not delayed,” she said.
She also raised concerns over government procurement processes, including complaints from some manufacturers about limited access to supply opportunities despite compliance with regulations.
Nakalema further called for structured follow-up mechanisms to ensure that issues raised during investor engagements are not left unresolved.
“I am requesting that all concerns raised today be compiled, assigned to responsible technical officers, and followed up to conclusion. We must not leave here without clear accountability,” she said.
She added that a senior presidential advisor on infrastructure will consolidate the proposals from the meeting and submit a report to the President for possible policy direction and Cabinet consideration.
“Every policy must be approved by Cabinet, and we will ensure that what has been discussed is properly escalated for decision-making,” she said.
Nakalema reaffirmed that government remains committed to creating a predictable and investor-friendly environment, particularly in emerging sectors such as electric mobility.
“We are under strict instructions from the President that investors should not be delayed or frustrated. We have policies, we have capable institutions, and we must deliver results,” she said.
She urged participants to maintain open engagement with government and continue providing technical input as Uganda positions itself within the global shift toward green and technology-driven industrialisation.