By Tumwine Byaruhanga
Hajjat Amina Mukalazi has assumed office as the new Minister of State for Privatization and Investment.
She takes over from Hon. Evelyn Anite, who handed over the office during a ceremony witnessed by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi.
Mukalazi thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for entrusting her with the responsibility, saying she was ready to serve the country in a docket central to investment, industrialisation and economic growth.
She also paid tribute to Anite for her service and contribution to Uganda’s privatization and investment agenda.
Mukalazi pledged to focus on strengthening Uganda’s investment climate by working closely with investors, government agencies and development partners to address bottlenecks and build investor confidence.
She said her tenure will also prioritise value-addition investments that create jobs for Ugandans, support industrialisation and promote exports.
Anite thanked the ministry’s technical team for supporting her during her tenure, pointing to achievements including the expansion of Namanve Industrial Park, the establishment of Mbale Industrial Park and other industrial parks across the country.
She pledged to support the incoming minister as she settles into her new role.
Dr. Ggoobi commended Anite for her dedication to promoting Uganda’s investment agenda, saying she leaves behind stronger investor relations and a clear roadmap for attracting and promoting investment.
He also congratulated Mukalazi, noting that her docket is key to accelerating economic growth and supporting Uganda’s 10-fold growth strategy.
“The technical team is ready. Our mandate is clear: We shall provide you with timely data and sound policy advice for seamless execution, so that political direction translates into economic results. We are committed to the values of professionalism, integrity, and service delivery,” Dr. Ggoobi said.
