Kapeeka, Nakaseke District — As part of the ongoing Uganda–Tanzania Trade Mission 2025, a high-level delegation of Tanzanian and Ugandan officials, business leaders, and investors embarked on a guided industrial tour of Liaoshen Industrial Park in Kapeeka, a flagship site for Uganda’s industrial transformation and economic ambition.
The visit, organised by the Uganda High Commission in Dar es Salaam, served as a practical showcase of Uganda’s manufacturing capacity, job creation efforts, and the country’s push toward industrial self-reliance.
The tour highlighted five major enterprises, each contributing uniquely to Uganda’s economic development and regional trade goals.
Stop 1: Sawa Ceramics – Innovation in Sanitary Ware
The tour kicked off at Sawa Ceramics, a locally thriving brand manufacturing kitchenware, toilet components, and related sanitary products.
Delegates were taken through the production process, noting the plant’s adherence to international quality standards and the growing potential for exports to regional markets.
Stop 2: Dried Candied Fruit Facility – Agro-processing at Its Best
Next, the delegation explored a vibrant agro-processing plant producing dried mango, jackfruit, and pineapple slices. Representatives from the facility explained the drying and packaging processes and treated guests to fresh samples.
The enterprise underscores Uganda’s competitive edge in fruit processing, adding value to local produce while targeting health-conscious global consumers.
Stop 3: Goodwill Uganda Ltd – Tiles from Ugandan Soil
At Goodwill Uganda Ltd, business leaders were impressed by the large-scale production of ceramic tiles using 90% locally sourced materials—including clay from Central Uganda and white stone from the west.
The factory, employing over 1,000 workers, has retained 60% of its workforce for more than four years, demonstrating a strong record of employment and worker retention. Goodwill also operates in Tanzania, Ghana, and Nigeria, exemplifying successful regional expansion.
Stop 4: Copper Factory – Wiring Uganda’s Growth
The fourth stop showcased a copper processing facility producing electric coils essential for wiring and construction. The tour offered a glimpse into the foundational role of such products in infrastructure development and the broader drive toward import substitution in industrial goods.
Stop 5: Ola Technology – Powering the Future with Solar
The final stop was Ola Technology, a clean energy hub producing 12V 18Ah UPS solar energy batteries. The plant plays a critical role in promoting renewable energy solutions and bridging Uganda’s energy gap in off-grid communities.
The visit gives tangible evidence of Uganda’s industrial potential. From ceramics to solar batteries, the country is building a foundation for regional supply chains and stronger trade ties with Tanzania.
The Kapeeka tour forms part of a broader initiative to connect Ugandan and Tanzanian enterprises under the theme “Building Stronger Trade Partnerships for Long-Term Prosperity.”
The Uganda–Tanzania Trade Mission 2025 included B2B engagements, policy dialogues, and site visits aimed at unlocking trade and investment opportunities across key sectors such as agro-processing, construction, energy, and consumer goods.
High Commissioner of Uganda to Tanzania, H.E. Col (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye, and Tanzanian envoy Mr. Masunga Biteko both emphasised the mission’s role in deepening bilateral ties and fostering inclusive economic growth.
With bilateral trade between Uganda and Tanzania having risen to USD 2.23 billion in 2024, up from USD 1.36 billion in 2023, the Kapeeka tour served as a powerful symbol of a shared commitment to industrialisation and regional economic integration.
