KOBOKO DISTRICT INVESTMENT PROFILE

Uganda DISTRICT

| Figure 1: Map of showing the location of

2 KOBOKO DISTRICT INVESTMENT PROFILE SNAPSHOT ONKOBOKKO

Geography Location Northern Region Neighbours , DRC, , area 820.8 km2

Socio-Economic Characteristics Population (2017 projection) 229,200 Languages Lingala, Bantu, English and Kiswahili Main Economic Activity Agriculture Major tradeable Sweet potatoes, Cassava, Maize, bananas, sorghum, beans, Tobacco Market target 71 million

Infrastructure and strategic positioning Transport network Road Communication: MTN, Airtel, Africel, UTL, the internet Website www www.koboko.go.ug .go.ug

GEOGRAPHY

ÂÂKoboko is one of the Districts in District in the East, and Maracha the North-Western Region. The District in the South. district is uniquely positioned ÂÂKoboko town is positioned 574 km at the meeting point of Uganda, from , 3km from the DRC Democratic Republic of Congo boarder and 16kms from the South (DRC) and South Sudan, with the Sudan Border. central place called “Salia Musala.” It is bordered by South Sudan in ÂÂThe district has a total land area of the North, DRC in the West, Yumbe 820.8 km2.

KOBOKO DISTRICT INVESTMENT PROFILE 3 DEMOGRAPHY

ÂÂIn 2014, the population in Koboko was estimated at 206,495 persons with 50.3 percent of women. It is projected to reach 229,200 in 2017. This population includes refugees from DRC and South Sudan. ÂÂThe Koboko Town is cosmopolitan, many tribes The ease of from Sudan and DRC blend communication with the Koboko tribes mainly makes the trading the Kakwa dialect and speak environment many languages including conducive.

Lingala, Bantu, English and Mr. Alonga Simon Loyuma, Acting Deputy Kiswahili. People interact easily Chief Administrative Officer, Koboko District and communicate in the same languages across the region Many refugee households have where the three countries ÂÂ Ugandan relatives who once sought Uganda, DRC and South Sudan refuge in South Sudan during meet. The people are a very the 1970s. With these strong ties, hospitable. refugees settle directly on the main

Others Banana land instead of settlement areas. Sorgum 6% 4% 4% Beans Maize 5% 18%

| Major food crops produced in Koboko Cassava 32%

Sweet Potatoes 31%

4 KOBOKO DISTRICT INVESTMENT PROFILE MAIN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

ÂÂThe livelihood of people in Involvement of refugees in the district is dependent on the local economy agriculture which employs over ÂÂMore than 70% of the refugees 80% of the total population. are involved in economic Fertile soils and suitable activity, largely in agriculture. climate combine to support the cultivation of a number of crops ÂÂOthers are engaged in retail in most parts of the District. business and providing casual labour. Refugees in the ÂÂThe dominant food crops are district have gained stability in Sweet potatoes, Cassava and economic activity, having settled Maize, bananas, sorghum and in the area for long. beans. ÂÂHouseholds also engaged in Tobacco production mainly in the fertile highlands. ÂÂProduction potential for major Some refugees food crops is estimated at are economically 42,000 Metric Tones. well and running ÂÂThe population is engaged in businesses across various businesses, notably the boarders. general merchandise, transport services, petty trade and Mr. Bada Fred, District Planner, agri-business. With the recent Koboko District opening of the Yei- road and improved security, business has flourished in the District and has attracted many traders in the region.

KOBOKO DISTRICT INVESTMENT PROFILE 5 WHY INVEST IN KOBOKO DISTRICT?

Infrastructure towns northwards, of , Ko- boko, and (border with ÂÂRoad Transport: The district has South Sudan). These two roads great potential as an investment are earmarked to be tarmacked location which Government is within the Vision 2040 Planning committed to unlock through framework. prioritized and strategic infra- structure development. ÂÂEnergy: The district benefits from 1.5 MW of thermo electric- ÂÂThere are two major roads from ity serving up to 2,800 custom- Koboko to the neighbouring dis- ers including in neighboring tricts and one of them touches districts of Arua, , Yumbe the boarders with DRC on one and . WENERECO is in the end and South Sudan on the process of constructing a 3.5 other. MW hydro power plant on Nyan- ÂÂOther roads include: Koboko– gak River in Paidha to boost the Yumbe–Moyo Road about 60km current supply. north of Arua Town (gravel ÂÂCommunication: The district surfaced); –Arua–Koboko– access to major mobile Oraba Road connects Vurra town telephone networks including (border with the DRC) with the MTN, Airtel, UTL as well as the internet. This one radio | Nyagak Hydropower Project station (Radio Koboko), with but the community has access to stations in other neighbouring districts. There are opportunities to access paid and affordable Television services enjoyed across the country.

6 KOBOKO DISTRICT INVESTMENT PROFILE Strategic positioning in the district offer training in Kettering, Business and ÂÂKoboko is a prime investment Accounts, office administration, site based on its strategic and nursing and annually location within a large market of graduate new human resources. the population in South Sudan, Women and the youth are North and Eastern DRC and particularly socially enabled to Uganda of approximately 71 work hard and earn income. million people. Tourism Potential Abundant Natural Resources ÂÂKoboko is endowed with unique historical and cultural sites ÂÂThe district is endowed with among which are the following: adequate surface and ground water resources. River Apa, Kaya ÂÂSaliamusala (Tripartiate point); at the South Sudan boarder, Political landscape showing Kechi, Ora and Kochi are the the border point of Uganda, most important rivers in the Congo and South. It signifies district. a historical land mark of three sovereign states meeting at ÂÂWetlands cover a proportion appoint. of the total District area. This allows water to stay in one ÂÂThe ancestral village where Idi place long enough to maximize Amin Dada, was born within infiltration and thus access to Congo Uganda border in Koboko. water supplies for plants. The village home reflects the journey of and his ÂÂKoboko district has a bi-modal ancestors. rainfall pattern with some dry spells in June and between ÂÂGrave yard of the former chiefs November and March. of Kakwa called Sultans and the father of Idi Amin Dada also Skilled and Productive buried at the cemetery of the workforce Sultans ÂÂKoboko district is endowed with ÂÂMount Liru as the ancestral industrious, technically capable home of the Kakwa people; this and affordable manpower. The is the ancestral hill where the reputable technical institutions

KOBOKO DISTRICT INVESTMENT PROFILE 7 | Mount Liru in Koboko

predecessors of Kakwa people district level where the Chief lived. Commercial Officer is the facilitator of new investors, ÂÂAdomila Crater Lake a natural to fulfil all required steps in site located in Ludara, Koboko investment start up. district measuring about 0.5 km by 70 meters permanently ÂÂUIA has established District at middle of surrounding low Investment Committee (DICs) to rigged hills. The only known spearhead investment attraction, Crater Lake in northern Uganda. facilitation and aftercare in different sectors. Administrative support ÂUganda through its political, Attractive Incentive  regimes legal and institutional structures, its strong economic and social ÂÂUganda’s incentive package policies as well as the efficient for both domestic and foreign local government organs investors provides generous provides a conducive investment terms, particularly for medium- environment in Koboko district. and long-term investors whose projects entail significant plant ÂÂInvestors are assisted by the and machinery costs. Below is a different departments in the snapshot of selected incentives. local government depending on The incentive structure is the issues at hand. currently under revision. ÂÂUganda Investment Authority For details, refer to www. (UIA) is promoting the One ugandainvest.go.ug/downloads/ Stop Centre concept at the WHY INVEST IN KOBOKO DISTRICT? IN KOBOKO WHY INVEST

8 KOBOKO DISTRICT INVESTMENT PROFILE » » » classes below: 4 in specified as assets for balance method, areprovided allowances, underdeclining Allowances: Category 2- Annual Depreciation » » » » » the Company’s Income: which aredeductibleonce from Initial capitalexpenditures Category 1- Initial Allowances: » » » » » » » » mining; farming, manufacturingand Plant &Machinery for Vehicles. Tractors, Trailers, Class 3:30%onBuses, Goods equipment; moving and Earth Automobiles, Construction Class 2:35%on Data handlingequipment; Class I:45%onComputers & deductible over four years. 25% of start-up costs are expenditure; 100% of mineralexploration expenditure; 100% of training expenditure; research scientific of 100% Entebbe, Jinjaarea; located outsideKampala, machinery for aninvestment 75% of cost of plantand The following KOBOKO DISTRICT INVESTMENT PROFILE

   incentives: District Specific Direct    discretion to eligible investors allowances areprovided without plus thedeductibleinitialcapital The depreciation allowances, corporate tax rate of 30%. machinery aswell asauniform dutyof import onplantand incentives, thereisa zero rate In additionto theabove » » » include: Depreciation Allowances Category3 - Annual Other » agricultural development. suitable landfor industrialand Investors assisted to access investment.further income for flow and cash its of therefore keeps ahighproportion years of aproject. The investor income duringthecrucialearly in orderreduce theirtaxable » » » » depreciation houses usingstraightline and Construction of Green- Plant 20% onHorticultural farm works; 20% onFarming - General Hotels &Hospitals; 5% onIndustrialBuildings, furniture,Office etc. fixtures cars,Locomotives, Vessels, Class 4:20%onrailroad

9

WHY INVEST IN KOBOKO DISTRICT? EXISTING INVESTORS (SELECTED)

ÂÂEducation: Koboko Technical School with over 2,500 graduates since its inception in areas of: business, administration and finance, building, construction and the built environment, engineering and manufacturing technologies, information and communication technology (ICT), tailoring, clothing, footwear and textiles. ÂÂBanking Sector: Stanbic Bank Uganda Ltd, Finca, . Koboko Town Hall

10 KOBOKO DISTRICT INVESTMENT PROFILE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN KOBOKO

ÂÂTourism: Public Private partnership with the Local Government to develop cultural and other tourism sites. ÂÂEducation services: Koboko has only one technical institution, however, more institutions are demanded to build the capabilities of young people and give them confidence to start business enterprises, a multiplier | Cultural diversity in Koboko for job creation.

ÂÂNatural Resources: Investment in large scale tree planting and large scale tree nurseries are opportunities for substantial income generation, reforestation and revival of the environment and creation of jobs that can diversify sources of income for the local communities. ÂÂAccommodation: The district has limited accommodation services. This provide an entry ground for investors in this line of business.

KEY CONTACTS

Name Position Contact

Mr. Hassan Nyinya LCV Chairman 07729856595 [email protected] Saidi

Ag. Chief Administrative 0774179577 [email protected] Mr. Sebunya Denis Officer 0700659723

Mr. Bada Fred District Planner 0772386465 [email protected]

District Commercial Mr. Ratib Ismail 0782251047 [email protected] Officer

KOBOKO DISTRICT INVESTMENT PROFILE 11 Mrs. Jolly K. Kaguhangire Mme. Rosa Malango Executive Director, Uganda UN Resident Coordinator/ Investment Authority UNDP Resident Representative

Uganda

Uganda Investment Authority United Nations Development The Investment Centre Plot 22B Programme (UNDP) Lumumba Avenue Plot 11 Yusuf Lule Road P.O.Box 7418, Kampala, Uganda Nakasero P.O.Box 7184 Tel: +256-414301000 Kampala, Uganda Fax+256-414342903 Tel: +256-417112100 http//www.ugandainvest.go.ug Fax: +256-414344801 www.undp.org