Col. Edith Nakalema, the head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), has commended the Netherlands for its contribution to Uganda’s economy, particularly in agriculture, agribusiness and other investment sectors.
Nakalema said the Netherlands was one of Uganda’s leading sources of foreign direct investment, with more than 200 Dutch-affiliated companies operating in the country.
She made the remarks on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, during a meeting with officials from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, investors and representatives of government agencies at the SHIPU offices on Lumumba Avenue in Nakasero, Kampala.
According to Nakalema, Dutch investments have contributed to the growth of agriculture and agribusiness, including horticulture, animal and fish feed production, and aquaculture. Other areas of interest include renewable energy, transport and logistics.
She said the investments were important not only because they brought capital into Uganda but also because they created opportunities for employment, skills development and business growth.
Nakalema cited figures indicating that the Netherlands accounted for 58.8 per cent of Uganda’s foreign direct investment inflows by June 2026. The figure highlights the country’s importance as an investment partner, although the share of investment does not necessarily represent the proportion of Dutch-owned businesses in Uganda.
The meeting brought together government institutions and private-sector representatives to discuss challenges affecting investors, including taxation, tax disputes, economic policy and the need to improve coordination among public agencies.
Nakalema said SHIPU had brought the relevant government institutions together to help address investors’ concerns and reduce delays in doing business.
Among the institutions involved were the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
She said cooperation between government agencies was necessary to ensure that investors received timely guidance and that administrative challenges did not unnecessarily interfere with their businesses.
Nakalema also said SHIPU was making progress in carrying out its mandate of protecting investors and improving Uganda’s investment climate.
She said continued engagement with foreign investors was important in building confidence in Uganda as a destination for investment.
Meanwhile, Abel Kagumire, the acting commissioner general of URA, said the tax authority recognised the importance of investors and worked to ensure they operated within a clear and supportive tax framework.
Kagumire said URA provided tax incentives and exemptions to qualifying investors in accordance with the law.
He said such measures were intended to support business operations and encourage investment while ensuring that companies complied with Uganda’s tax requirements.
Kagumire added that URA worked with investors to address tax-related concerns and help them understand their obligations.
He said cooperation between the tax authority and the business community was important in creating a conducive environment for investment and supporting economic growth.
