Investor unit chief Nakalema, British High Commissioner Chesney discuss investment opportunities

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State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) chief Col Edith Nakalema has held fruitful discussions with British High Commissioner to Uganda Lisa Chesney (MBE) at the unit's office in Kampala.

During the Monday, August 11, 2025, meeting, Nakalema informed Chesney that SHIPU, as a relatively new entity, has the mandate to empower investors to embark on wealth creation without delay.

“Whether it is access to land in industrial parks or activating tax incentives or formalising business registration or expediting an environmental impact assessment or securing power supply, SHIPU is at the forefront of levelling the landscape of these procedures so that wealth creators maintain business costs at an all-time low,” she said.

State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) chief Col Edith Nakalema. (Courtesy)

SHIPU Chief Col Edith Nakalema speaking as Chesney looks on. (Courtesy)

Nakalema also assured H.E Lisa that Uganda’s investment appeal is globally encouraging, citing that in 2024, Uganda was named the best investment destination in Africa at the 13th Global Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Investment Awards in Abu Dhabi in recognition of attracting significant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

“In the 2023 Africa Risk-Reward Index, Oxford Economics ranked Uganda as the most attractive economy to invest in within the EAC and third across the African Continent, citing macroeconomics stability and infrastructure development,” she said.

“Through the Uganda Investment Authority, Uganda won the greatest Investment Catalyst award in the world at the Go Global Awards in Rhode Island in USA, in 2023. Your Excellency, it is these ratings that give the team at SHIPU even more reason to enhance investor confidence through coordinating expeditious attention to investor’s needs.”

(Courtesy)

Nakalema also revealed that in driving a collaborative approach to tackle investor-related matters, SHIPU is firm in the conviction that foreign and domestic investment is the steady pivot around which Uganda’s economy and, ultimately, the livelihoods of the citizens will sustainably turn around.

“This meeting also re-echoes our mutual belief in trade and investment as a shared priority that will drive socio-economic transformation in the United Kingdom and in Uganda.”

On the other hand, Col Nakalema informed her guest that Uganda is cognizant of the role that foreign missions like that of the UK play in promoting the investment opportunities in Uganda.

“We are, therefore, positive that your very gracious visit this afternoon widens the doors of what we can do together to realise our common aspirations through enhancing investor confidence.”

Nakalema also underscored the role of the Uganda Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP) in safeguarding investors from fraud and frustrations during the investment process.

The portal managed by SHIPU empowers investors to get authentic information, inquire, verify and receive feedback.

Chesney's promises

Chesney, on the other hand, commended Uganda for the continued mutual working relationship with the United Kingdom.

“With shared mutual belief in trade and investment as a shared priority that will drive socio-economic transformation in both the UK and Uganda, we want to make it easier for Ugandan businesses to access UK markets and vice-versa,” she assured.

The British High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney. (Courtesy)

Through my office, we shall make sure that when UK investors come here, they connect easily with Ugandans to do investments required to create jobs and drive economic growth, she emphasised.

“We want to see British businesses here that employ the local people, pay taxes and contribute to Uganda’s economy, but also bring benefits to the UK communities,” she added.

“The booming macroeconomic growth in Uganda and President Yoweri Museveni’s efforts in the fight against corruption facilitates peace and security in the country which is able to create a conducive business environment to thrive,” Lisa observed. 

State House Investors Protection Unit head, Col Edith Nakalema, handing over a report book to the British High Commissioner, Lisa Chesney at Lumumba Avenue offices. (Photo by Isaac Nuwagaba)

She also hailed SHIPU for the good work of protecting the investors from delays and corruption.

“Corruption impedes development, and I'm grateful that the Government of Uganda has put up several entities like SHIPU to fight the vice,” she said.

“We are going to work together with SHIPU to give investors confidence that they are being protected because they contribute to the economic development of Uganda.”