By Leaders from the West Nile sub-region have called on the government to establish an industrial park in Yumbe District to create jobs and accelerate economic development in the area.
The appeal came ahead of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s campaign visit to Yumbe this afternoon, where the proposal is expected to feature prominently among the key issues local leaders will present to him.
State Minister for Veteran Affairs Huda Oleru, who is spearheading the initiative alongside State Minister for Privatisation and Investment Evelyn Anite, said the industrial park would transform the livelihoods of young people in the region.
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“We have already identified 1,200 acres of land in Yumbe for the industrial park,” Oleru said. “This land is available for industrial farms and factories which will employ our young, educated people who are now looking for jobs. That is why the people are very excited.”
She added that the project is now more feasible than ever before following Yumbe’s connection to the national electricity grid — a key barrier that had previously discouraged potential investors.
“Investors from China, India and other countries had hesitated because of the lack of power, but now electricity, water, and good roads are in place. Nothing can stop them from coming,” Oleru said. “The infrastructure is here, and our people are hardworking.”
The minister also revealed that the people of Yumbe are pushing for administrative expansion, seeking to have the district subdivided into four to improve service delivery and representation.
“Yumbe alone has a population of over one million people,” she said. “They believe that with such numbers, they deserve at least three additional districts or constituencies to ensure fair access to services.”
The industrial park proposal is part of a broader regional demand for greater investment in manufacturing and agro-industrial development, with leaders arguing that it would help reduce unemployment and boost exports from West Nile to other parts of Uganda and neighboring countries like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
President Museveni’s visit to Yumbe is part of his nationwide campaign trail following his nomination as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate for the 2026 general elections.
