By Our Reporter
The Presidential CEO Forum (PCF) has kicked off its first Information Tour at Kapeeka Industrial Park, an initiative aimed at creating closer working links between government and the private sector. The tour follows its official launch by the Chairperson of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen. (Rtd.) Caleb Akandwanaho, in July this year in Gulu City.
The Information Tour is a new flagship programme of the Forum. It is designed to help business leaders understand how national projects are changing communities, promote honest dialogue on government performance, and show the role of private investment in driving Uganda’s growth story.
During the visit, Gen. (Rtd.) Caleb Akandwanaho, also known as Gen. Saleh, spoke about the impact of Uganda’s liberalisation and privatisation policies. He said these reforms opened space for enterprise, competition, and innovation — turning Uganda’s economy into one led by private initiative rather than state control. Using Kapeeka–Namukenkera Industrial Park as an example, he noted how the partnership between government and business has boosted industrial production and job creation.
The NRM Secretariat, represented by Deputy Secretary General Rt. Hon. Rosemary Namayanja, convened the tour — the first formal engagement between the ruling party and the business community through the CEO Forum. The discussion focused on protecting the country’s economic progress while giving the private sector a stronger voice in shaping and implementing policy.
Mr. Emmanuel Katongole, Chairperson of the PCF, said the Forum’s focus is to keep government and business working in sync. He applauded industrial investors who have built local capacity and created jobs, adding that the Information Tour series will help sustain that momentum. He outlined the Forum’s main priorities: replicating the Kapeeka model across regions, improving policy incentives, enhancing communication, and safeguarding Uganda’s economic gains.
The Forum’s CEO, Ms. Irene Birungi Mugisha, highlighted the steady guidance of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, whose long-term approach to industrialisation has shaped Uganda’s economic direction. She said the Forum brings together Uganda’s leading CEOs to share ideas, champion innovation, and contribute to national growth through partnership rather than criticism.
Kapeeka Industrial Park remains one of Uganda’s success stories in manufacturing and value addition. The park has created thousands of jobs, supported import substitution, and attracted new investments in agro-processing and light industry.
The event was attended by Ministers Hillary Onek, Godfrey Kabyanga, and Esther Anyakun, along with heads of government agencies and senior figures from the private sector.
The Presidential CEO Forum plans to extend similar tours to other industrial parks and economic zones to deepen understanding of government programmes and help the private sector identify new opportunities for investment and collaboration.
