For decades, the area now known as Namanve was more than just a forest on the road out of Kampala, it was part of a landscape etched with painful memories from one of the darkest periods in Uganda’s history (the 70’s). Local residents described the woods as a place where countless victims of terror were taken, killed and left behind, their names often lost to time. Among those whose fate briefly drew global attention was Dora Bloch, an elderly passenger aboard Air France Flight 139, hijacked in 1976 in events that would later lead to the dramatic Entebbe raid.
Even long after those years passed, talk of “the forest” conveyed a sense of unease, a reminder of grief and unanswered questions that lingered in the Namanve community memory.
Today, that same land tells a profoundly different story. Once dubbed by its neighbors as an “evil forest,” the former woodland has been transformed into Uganda’s flagship industrial hub, the Kampala Industrial and Business Park (KIBP), Namanve. This transformation reflects not just economic progress, but a broader shift in national purpose; from survival and fear to enterprise, growth and sustainability.
Namanve’s story as an industrial park began in 1997, when the area was designated as part of Uganda’s national strategy to accelerate industrial growth. Under the stewardship of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), the park was envisioned as a serviced zone where investors could establish factories, warehouses and business operations, driving employment and technology transfer.
For years, however, progress was stifled by poor infrastructure and challenging terrain. While a handful of companies like Roofings Group, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa and Hima Cement made inroads, the park lacked the necessary backbone of roads, water, power and digital connectivity to attract large scale industrial occupancy.
Recognizing this, the Government of Uganda, through Uganda Investment Authority with financing partners including United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF), entered into a major infrastructure development contract with Lagan Dott Namanve Limited. This strategic project is now upgrading essential infrastructure including a network of roads and bridges, water and sewerage systems, power distribution, street lighting, fibre-optic connectivity and more, laying a firm foundation for growth.
The impact of these improvements has been transformative. Before 2016, the park had only about 22 operational factories. Today, that number has grown exponentially, with over 300 companies setting up operations and expectations that up to 500 factories could be functional in the next two years.
This growth is not just about numbers. It represents a leap forward for local value addition, import substitution and export potential in sectors like agro-processing, mineral processing, logistics, ICT and general manufacturing. Once fully operational, KIBP is expected to create over 200,000 direct jobs, providing livelihoods for thousands of young Ugandans and supporting broader national development goals.
As KIBP has grown, so too has international recognition of the institution guiding its development. UIA’s work at Namanve and across Uganda has earned global accolades including the Greenfield FDI Award 2025 for attracting high impact, sustainable investments; the WAIPA Special LDC Award 2025 for excellence in investment facilitation; and recognition as runner-up for Best Investment Promotion Agency in Africa at the AIM Global Awards 2025. Earlier, UIA also won the Investment Catalyst Award at the Go Global Awards 2023 in the United States. These honors underscore that the transformation unfolding at KIBP is not only visible locally, but respected internationally.
Importantly, this industrial progress is not happening at the expense of the environment. Recognizing the need to preserve green spaces and integrate climate resilience into development, government through UIA has implemented significant environmental safeguards within the park.
Sections of the park have been reserved for green belts and wetland preservation, ensuring that important ecosystems within the industrial zone remain protected. This is part of a broader national shift; where trees were once cleared in pursuit of industrial expansion, the government now emphasizes strategies that mitigate climate change and preserve natural resources.
This strategic commitment is reinforced by initiatives such as UIA’S ongoing tree-planting campaign focused on re-greening the industrial park and setting a precedent for sustainable industrial practices. Wetlands once threatened by development are now consciously protected within the park, reflecting alignment with environmental guidelines and broader climate resilience objectives.
The transformation of Namanve, from a forest remembered for its association with human suffering during Uganda’s darkest chapters to a hub of industrial hope and sustainable development is emblematic of the nation’s journey. It tells a story of resilience, strategic planning and a collective commitment to a brighter future.
Where history once brought grief, today the land hums with the promise of factories, jobs, commerce and innovation. The Kampala Industrial and Business Park - Namanve stands not just as a testament to economic growth, but as a powerful symbol of how thoughtful development can honor the past while shaping a thriving future.
Joshua Potere Mushwa
