Investors who have failed to develop government land risk losing their allocations as the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) intensifies efforts to reclaim it from non-performing beneficiaries, UIA Director General, Robert Mukiza, has told the Parliament Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Mukiza said that UIA has already issued withdrawal notices to defaulting investors, some of whom have appealed the decision.
“We have instituted an aggressive withdraw of land from non-performing investors. I know they will make noise but we shall do it,” said Mukiza who led UIA officials to the House Committee on Friday, 13 November 2026.
His remarks followed concerns from MPs that some investors lack the capacity to develop allocated government land, while others have turned it into a source of income by subletting it.
MPs backed the authority’s position to reclaim government land from investors who MPs said are using land for non-investment related purposes.
“Some investors get land from government and because they cannot develop it, they sublet it and collect revenue. Some come to Uganda with only an idea, lacking financial and technical capacity,” said Hon. Faith Nakut (NRM, Napak District Women rep.).
Nakut urged UIA to set standards for foreign investors, including a deadline on when one should exit the country if the business fails to take off.
Hon. Joanne Okia (NRM, Madi-Okollo District Woman rep.) questioned why land offered by communities for industrial parks remains undeveloped, leaving promised investments unrealized.
Legislators also criticized UIA for taking land titling lightly amid rampant land grabbing countrywide, after learning that 89 square miles of land offered by district local governments remain surveyed but untitled.
“It is not good to have unsecured land in the current circumstances. Government has been supporting communities to acquire land titles, and local governments are doing the same. Land for industrial parks should be titled,” said Hon. Patrick Katabaazi (NRM, Rukiga County),
Hon. Gerald Nangoli (NRM, Elgon North County) pledged the committee’s support to ensure funds are appropriated in the next financial year to secure land earmarked for industrial parks.
Mukiza said that the authority has made progress in attracting external investment and job creation, saying that investments worth US$1.161 billion registered in the 2025/2026 financial year generated 34,633 jobs.
UIA is supporting domestic traders to transition to manufacturing through an investment of Shs8.1 billion that has so far created 175 jobs, he revealed, adding that the authority now targets an increase in foreign investment from US$3.2 billion to US$18.972 billion by 2030-Ug. Parliament. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
