KAGERA: DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko has called on investors to consider investing in Kagera Region, urging them to take advantage of the region’s unique geographical opportunities.
The deputy premier was speaking during the second regional investment festival, held as part of the “Ijuka Omuka Week” (Remember Home).
“My appeal after this meeting is that others should come and invest, making use of the opportunities offered by the geography of this region,” he said.
He commended the Kagera Regional Commissioner, Hajjat Fatma Mwassa for her excellent preparations of the investment conference, which aims at marketing investment opportunities and boosting the region’s economy.
Dr Biteko also encouraged Kagera residents to support the RC’s efforts and work together to effectively implement the region’s development goals.
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On his side, Minister for Home Affairs, Innocent Bashungwa said the idea for the festival stemmed from President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directive to assess the causes of economic challenges in Kagera.
“In 2022, stakeholders came together to identify the factors hindering economic growth in the region,” Bashungwa noted.
“The people of Kagera are lucky to have received strong support from President Samia, whose political will has brought various development projects to the region, offering us further opportunities to boost our economy,” he added.
Mr Bashungwa highlighted Kagera’s strategic geographical position, saying the factor makes the region an ideal place for investment.
“Our region is geographically well-placed and we have a sufficient labour force. We remind our fellow citizens, both locally and abroad, to remember home, despite their work commitments elsewhere,” he said.
The minister also expressed appreciation for the government’s ongoing large-scale infrastructure projects including the construction of the Kigongo-Busisi Bridge, which is expected to be completed in February 2025, the development of key roads and the connection of Kagera to the National Grid.
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Kagera Regional Commissioner, Hajjat Fatma Mwassa said the second investment festival aims at providing an opportunity for the government and stakeholders to share feedback on the progress and plans for the region’s economy.
The RC outlined major ongoing projects in the region, including the construction of 265.4 kilometres of strategic roads costing 340.49bn/- and the construction of five bridges worth 45.2bn/-.
She also highlighted water projects worth 191bn/- that will benefit over 500,000 people and irrigation projects valued at 2.9bn/-.
She also urged for more investment in the hospitality sector, noting that Kagera Region lacks sufficient facilities to host large conferences such as those of the East African Community (EAC).
Engineer Emmanuel Mayanga, from the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) provided updates on urban development projects in Bukoba, including the construction of 10.75 kilometres of roads, the installation of more than 800 streetlights to improve security at night, enhancement of Kanoni riverbanks and the upgrading of local markets.
