Govt warns investors against speculative behaviour on Namanve Industrial Park land

_______________

For years, several beneficiaries of the Namanve Industrial Park land, a government initiative aimed at driving industrialisation, have allegedly engaged in speculative behaviour.

According to the Government, some individuals who received free land in the park, located just outside the capital city, have failed to develop it within the stipulated 18-month timeframe.

Investment state minister Evelyn Anite says this has caused the slowdown in the park’s development pace. To address this, the minister warns that investors who fail to develop their land within the specified period will have it repossessed and reverted to the Government.

Local investor commended

However, she has commended a local investor, Piston Medical Ltd, a Ugandan pharmaceutical manufacturing company specialised in producing and distributing parenteral medicines for the African region, expeditiously developing its allocated land within a short timeframe.

“We can execute this project by securing a bank loan, repaying it, and subsequently driving development, job creation and employment opportunities for our people. Piston is employing both Ugandans and expatriates with specialised technical expertise. The company has also recruited Indians to share their knowledge and train Ugandans. I find this initiative commendable and pledge my unwavering support to Piston,” Anite says.

The minister notes that Piston is set to transform Uganda’s healthcare landscape and beyond, by locally producing essential medicines, reducing reliance on imports, and improving access to affordable healthcare services.

Anite commended the Piston company on September 3, 2025, during its breaking of the ground ceremony at Namanve Industrial Park in Mukono district.

The Ugandan pharmaceutical company will use its three-acre plot to build a new facility for producing parenteral medicines for the African region. The extra land was given to Piston by Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) following President Yoweri Museveni’s directive.

More formulations

Pistons chief executive officer Benjamin Kiiza stated that the company aims to expand its facility with more formulations, particularly injectables. He said the company is currently producing about 16 products and that they plan to scale up to approximately 100 products within three years.

Benjamin Kiiza, a director and CEO of Piston Medical Limited, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of Piston Medical Limited Annex at Namanve Industrial Park, September 2, 2025. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)

“This ambitious growth would not be feasible without additional land, as we would face logistical challenges. Parenterals, including life-saving drugs, require substantial storage space due to their bulkiness. Given the 14-day waiting period for testing after production, efficient logistics and storage are crucial to supplying the regional market effectively,” he said.

Kiiza disclosed that Piston already has four products or injectables of small and large volume under the National Drug Authority (NDA). The products under analysis are sodium chloride, Dextrose 5, Dextrose 10, as well as Dextrose Normal Saline.

He is optimistic that by December this year, the company will have at least 12 products with regulatory approval, enabling commercialisation.

Kiiza said they are manufacturing injectables and expanding into powdered and lyophilised injectables, which is poised to revolutionise medical manufacturing in the country and across Africa.

“This facility will serve as a strategic hub for our manufacturing and distribution operations, enabling us to better cater for the regional market. We appreciate the government’s support in allocating this land, which will be instrumental in driving our growth and expansion plans,” he appreciated.

Christine Natasha, the deputy director of Industrial Park Development, said they have already allocated five acres of land to Piston Medical Ltd, and it has set up a pharmaceutical and intravenous (IV) drug plant.

“Five years ago, we allocated a five-acre plot to this company, but they are already producing the drugs. Our projections included a $12 million investment and 120 jobs upon full operation. However, in less than five years, Piston exceeded expectations, employing 91 people, with 90% being local hires,” she said.

Natasha said Piston’s focus on growth, innovation, and transforming healthcare in Uganda and beyond is evident in their progress.

Uganda Investment Authority chairperson Dr Robert Kyamanywa emphasised the authority’s goal of attracting investors to the manufacturing sector and promoting local participation in the country’s economic transformation.

“When a country is at peace, development thrives, so let us target opportunities that benefit our people,” he advised.