Malaysia’s construction services industry is making inroads into the fast growing construction industry of Uganda thanks to the public-private synergy between Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and Malaysian Inc. The two parties have realised the first mover advantage for Malaysian companies to take part in the development of the Uganda Eco-Satellite City project.

According to the State Minister for Urban Development, Mr. Isaac Musumba, Nakigalala will be the first ultra-modern city in Uganda with three more to follow.

The Uganda Eco-Satellite City project in the capital city of Kampala is one the major new projects initiated by the Uganda Government. The project involves 1,000 acres of land which is to be a mixed development consisting of residential, commercial, government offices, schools, hospitals, malls as well as other amenities. This is a long term project which has the aim of reducing the congestion within the fast booming city of Kampala. The Eco-Satellite City Project is part of the Ugandan Vision 2040 national development initiative of the Ugandan Government and is targeted to transform the nation from an agrarian society towards a modern, progressive and industrialised nation.

Malaysian Inc was the brainchild of the National Professional Services Export Council (NAPSEC) which secretariat is MATRADE. The Consortium aims to provide a platform for MSPs to tap on projects overseas. The Malaysian Inc also operates to facilitate and promote international collaboration between MSPs and the private sector abroad.Read More

The China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) has said they are set to complete the remaining portion of the Kampala to Entebbe Expressway that was not completed due to land acquisition and financial challenges.

Xiong Pai Liang, deputy project manager China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) said completion of a small section, about 7km of the of the 49.56 km expressway delayed due to challenges which have now been overcome.

CCCC are the contractors of the four lane $476m (sh1.8 trillion) expressway. They started work in November 2012. Last May, President Yoweri Museveni and Wang Yang the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) commissioned the completed section of the road.

“By end of July we will have finished all the work. We will hand over the completed section to the Uganda National Roads Authority,” Liang said. Liang told the media during an inspection tour of the expressway.

Eng. Patrick Ssenteza, civil engineer at the Quality control department of CCCC said progress of work was on schedule but rain was disturbing progress. Ssenteza said the road stood at 96% completion level currently. Read More

On Saturday ‘all roads’ led to Uganda Investment Authority’s Soroti Industrial and Business Park where the grand opening of the long-awaited Soroti Fruit Factory took place..

The factory, the first to sit on the expansive Soroti Industrial and Business Park operated by Uganda Investment Authority, is owned by Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), with 80 percent shareholding, and Teso Tropical Cooperative Union, holding 20 percent.

The Korea International Development Agency (KOICA) offered 7.8 million dollars to setup the factory, with the Government of Uganda, through (UDC), providing the remaining two million dollars. UIA provided the land.

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Amelia Kyambadde, said the factory has the potential of improving incomes and livelihood of the people of Teso, who collectively have 8.2 million citrus trees.

President Museveni said fruit farming is “the medicine for poverty in Teso”. The president also recommended poultry rearing, dairy farming and fish farming as other anti-poverty medicines for the region. Read More