The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) has been asked to rein in investors and government officials who break laws and investment procedures.
This was during a meeting between the Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit, Col. Edith Nakalema, and communication officers from different Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. The meeting was aimed at popularizing the SHIPU online reporting portal that was established late last year.
The portal is used by investors to lodge complaints and compliments about the investment procedure in the country.
The officers said that whereas the unit holds agencies and departments accountable for the flaws in the investment process, and corruption tendencies, among other irregularities, many investors connive with government officials to break the laws.
“As we are doing all this let us also go back and clean ourselves properly, because some of us look like we are delaying things, but sometimes our hands are just tied,” said Irene Kizza from the Ministry of Trade.
According to Kizza, when such an investor is told to follow the lawful procedures, the officials are intimidated by bigwigs in government.
Frank Mugabi, from the National Agricultural Organisation (NARO), noted that many investors claim to have orders from above and block government officials from inspecting their operations.
Col. Nakalema also said that the unit has received reports where leaders are hindered from executing their duties.
Nakalema revealed that high interest on bank loans, and multiple and high tax rates have been the most raised concerns, especially by the local investors.
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