By Masejele Sulaiman
MBALE — Power instability, road accidents, and gaps in essential infrastructure have emerged as major challenges threatening production and investment at the Sino Uganda Industrial Park in Mbale, with investors calling for urgent government intervention.
The concerns were raised on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, during a meeting between the industrial park’s management and Ministers Lydia Wanyoto Mutende of Public Service and Hajjat Amina Mukalazi of Investments.
The industrial park, operated by the Tian Tang Group, currently hosts 90 factories, 72 of which are operational, and employs about 15,000 workers, making it one of the major industrial and employment hubs in the region.
Owen Jin, Deputy Managing Director of Tian Tang Group, said unreliable electricity supply remains one of the most pressing challenges facing manufacturers, particularly factories whose operations depend heavily on stable power.
He cited Uni Steel as one of the companies that has suffered significant losses because of power fluctuations, which disrupt production and can damage or interfere with industrial processes and machinery.
Jin appealed to the government to find a lasting solution to the electricity problem rather than relying on temporary interventions.
Responding to the concern, Uganda Investment Authority Director General Robert Mukiza said the authority, working together with the Ministry of Energy, is pursuing a more permanent power solution for the industrial park.
Mukiza said plans are underway to establish a secure permanent power station, replacing the temporary substation currently serving the park.
Investors said a reliable electricity supply would not only protect existing production but also strengthen investor confidence and create room for further industrial expansion.
Road safety was another major concern raised by the industrial park leadership.
According to the investors, the Mbale–Tirinyi Highway has become a significant safety concern, with more than 20 people reportedly losing their lives in recent times. The industrial park leadership also reported the death of one of its investors in a road accident.
The ministers promised to engage the Ministry of Works and Transport on measures to improve safety along the highway, particularly for workers, investors, and other road users traveling to and from the industrial park.
Minister Wanyoto also proposed the development of low-cost housing estates near the industrial park.She said affordable accommodation closer to workplaces could reduce the long distances traveled by workers each day, potentially lowering their exposure to road accidents while also improving workers’ welfare.
The lack of adequate firefighting capacity was also highlighted as a major risk to the industrial park, where dozens of factories operate.Minister Mukalazi informed the investors that the government is in the process of procuring firefighting equipment to strengthen emergency response capacity.
The minister also pledged government support in improving security and strengthening the park’s firefighting systems.
For an industrial hub with a large concentration of factories, improved emergency response is critical to protecting lives, property, investments, and production.
The Tian Tang Group leadership also raised concerns about flooding, pollution from surrounding communities, waste management, and environmental compliance.
The investors particularly expressed concern about their interactions with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), including issues surrounding certification and environmental requirements.
Mukalazi said the government recognises the importance of balancing industrial development with environmental protection.On wetlands, she reiterated government guidance that existing investments should continue operating while ensuring that there is no further encroachprotected wetlands.
She pledged to engage NEMA and other relevant government agencies to provide investors with clearer guidance on certification and environmental compliance.
The minister also committed government support towards addressing waste management challenges affecting the industrial park.
Mukalazi praised the Sino Uganda Industrial Park for its contribution to employment creation and economic development in the region.She said government remains committed to creating an environment in which investors can operate, expand their businesses and create more jobs.
She also revealed that the Ministry of Finance has allocated funds to the Ministry of Works to address road infrastructure challenges affecting the industrial park.
“Government appreciates the role this industrial park plays in creating jobs and transforming lives. We shall continue working closely with investors to ensure these challenges are addressed,” Mukalazi said.
Mukiza, the Uganda Investment Authority Director General, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the park, noting that major infrastructure investments are already underway.
The meeting comes at a time when the industrial park is expanding its contribution to employment and regional economic development. With approximately 15,000 workers and 72 operational factories, the park has become an important economic center for Mbale and the wider eastern Uganda region.
However, the concerns raised by investors point to the growing infrastructure demands that accompany rapid industrialisation.Stable electricity, safer roads, affordable housing, reliable emergency services, effective waste management and clear environmental regulation will be increasingly important as more factories become operational.
Minister Wanyoto also commended the park for its corporate social responsibility initiatives, particularly the construction of a market and implementation of water projects benefiting surrounding communities.The government and investors now face the task of translating the commitments made during the meeting into practical interventions that can safeguard existing investments while creating conditions for further industrial growth in Mbale