By Maria Mariam Namala
The State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) head, Col. Edith Nakalema, has urged Swedish investors to explore opportunities in Uganda, assuring them of government support and mechanisms designed to protect investments and ease access to public institutions.
Col. Nakalema made the remarks on September 23, 2026, during a meeting with the Swedish Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Anna-Maria Olsson, who visited SHIPU alongside the Embassy’s Head of Political, Economic and Commercial Affairs, Lotta Segerström.
The engagement focused on strengthening investor protection and expanding trade and investment ties between Uganda and Sweden, with the Swedish side identifying energy and transport among the key sectors for increased commercial engagement.
Col. Nakalema said SHIPU is working to address administrative bottlenecks that can frustrate investors by coordinating relevant government ministries, departments and agencies to provide timely and coordinated support.
She also demonstrated the Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP), a digital platform designed to help investors conduct due diligence and connect with relevant government agencies before committing their resources.
“We are committed to creating an investment environment where investors can conduct their due diligence early, access the right government institutions and receive coordinated support throughout their investment journey,” Col. Nakalema said.
She said Uganda also sees opportunities for collaboration with Sweden in technology and innovation, particularly in areas that can create employment and strengthen skills among young people.
“We also see significant opportunities to work with Sweden on technologies and innovations that can support sustainable employment and skills development for Uganda’s young population,” she added.
Col. Nakalema said Uganda’s priority investment areas include Agro-processing, Tourism, Minerals, and Science and Technology (ATMS), which the country is promoting to expand production, value addition and employment.
Ambassador Olsson said trade and business remain key components of the bilateral relationship between Sweden and Uganda, with economic diplomacy forming a central pillar of Sweden’s engagement with the country.
She identified energy and transport among the sectors where Sweden sees potential for increased commercial cooperation with Uganda.
Ambassador Olsson also outlined Sweden’s “Team Sweden” approach to commercial diplomacy, which brings together the Swedish Embassy, Business Sweden, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Swedfund and Sweden’s export financing system to support private-sector-led growth.
The ambassador further highlighted Sweden’s creative industries, noting that the country exports about US$500 million in creative arts annually. She said nurturing talent and investing in the creative economy could create additional opportunities for Uganda’s young population.
The meeting concluded with SHIPU reaffirming its commitment to supporting and protecting Swedish foreign direct investment in Uganda while facilitating stronger engagement between Swedish companies and Ugandan enterprises.