Why you should Invest in Uganda – Uganda-UK Convention

Predictable Environment: Uganda has been able to achieve macro-economic stability when clouds of uncertainty rocked many regions of the world.

Inflation is single digit for over 10 years from a record high of 240% in 1988
Stable annual economic growth averaging 6% per annum
Market driven exchange rates

Fully Liberalized Economy:

All sectors liberalized for investment and marketing
Free inflow and outflow of capital
100% foreign ownership of investment permitted

Market Access:

Uganda enjoys a unique location at the heart of Sub-Saharan Africa giving it a commanding base for regional trade and investment
Uganda is a member of the commonwealth market for eastern and Southern African States (COMESA), a region with a market of over 300 million people in 20 countries
Uganda is a member of the East African Community comprising Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi
Duty and quota free access into the US (AGOA) and EU (EBA) markets.

Strong natural Resource Base

Rich endowment of rainfall, soils, and favorable temperature range. A number of crops are grown organically
Unexploited mineral deposits, and tourism opportunities. Confirmed deposits include Gold, Zinc, Wolfram, Petroleum, diamond, vermiculite, silica etc

Government Commitment to Private Sector

Government and private sector dialogue in policy formulation
Continuous improvement in providing infrastructure and other social services

Trainable Labour

Uganda presently produces over 10,000 University graduates per year
Quality of labour is one of the biggest attractions

Security of Investment

Guaranteed under the Constitution and the Investment Code 1991.
Uganda is a signatory to main international investment related institutions
Multi-lateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) of US
Convention on the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral award (CREFAA), ICSID, TRIMS, GATS, and TRIPS

Investment Incentives

Investment Capital Allowances

Initial Allowance on plant and machinery 50-75%
Startup cost spread over 4 years¡¯ 25% p.a.
Scientific research expenditure 100%
Training expenditure 100%
Mineral exploration expenditure 100%

Initial Allowance on Hotel and Industrial Buildings 20%

Deductible annual Allowances (depreciable assets)
Depreciation rates of assets range 20-40%
Depreciation rate for Hotels, Industrial Buildings & Hospitals 5%

Investors who register as investment traders are entitled to VAT refund on building
materials for industrial/commercial buildings
Duty and Tax free import of Plant & Machinery
First Arrival Privileges in the form of duty exemptions for personal effects and
motor vehicle (previously owned for at least 12 months) to all investors and
expatriates coming to Uganda
Export Zones (Provisional)
* A ten year corporation tax holiday
* Duty exemption on raw materials, plant and machinery and other inputs
* Stamp duty exemption
* Duty draw back to apply on input of goods from domestic tariff area
* No export tax
* Exemption of withholding tax on interest on external loans
* Dividends repatriated to get relief from double taxation

Where should you invest?

Investment opportunities abound in the following areas

Agriculture
Livestock
Fisheries
Forestry
Manufacturing
Mining
Infrastructure
Financial services
Tourism
Printing and publishing

For more information on investment in Uganda go to: