NAKASERO, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has given a preliminary welcome to a significant infrastructure proposal from the United Arab Emirates aimed at transforming Uganda’s regional cargo logistics.
The initiative involves developing a major inland port at Bukasa in Mukono District, a project the President believes will substantially strengthen the country’s cargo movement and enhance its position as a regional trade nexus.
President Museveni confirmed that he met with a delegation from the Sharjah Chambers of Commerce and Industry at Nakasero State Lodge on Saturday morning. The delegation was led by Farid Belbouab, the Chief Executive Officer of Gulftainer, a major global port operator.
The UAE investors presented a formal proposal detailing their plan to develop the Bukasa site into a fully functional inland port. This facility is intended to streamline cargo handling and support the distribution of goods across Eastern and Central Africa.
President Museveni acknowledged the strategic vision behind the plan:
“I received their proposal to develop an inland port at Bukasa in Mukono to support cargo movement to Sudan, Kenya, and other destinations,” Museveni said.
The President expressed his approval for the initiative and pledged the full backing of the Ugandan government, emphasizing that enhanced logistics infrastructure is a critical prerequisite for economic growth and regional integration.
Also Read: Museveni pledges Shs 85 billion revolving fund for Uganda’s salon and beauty industry
Boosting regional connectivity
The proposed Bukasa inland port is expected to yield several key benefits for Uganda’s economy:
- Improved efficiency: Enhance the overall efficiency of cargo handling for goods traversing Lake Victoria and the East African transport corridors.
- Easing congestion: Alleviate the chronic congestion issues currently plaguing existing facilities and border points.
- Regional hub status: Solidify Uganda’s aspiration to become a central transport hub, facilitating trade flow to neighbors including Sudan and Kenya.
The Bukasa inland port project has been a long-term goal for the Ugandan government, as it seeks to diversify its transport options and reduce reliance on congested road networks leading from the coastal ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.
