Transforming Lives: Inside Uganda’s Sino-Industrial Park

Summary:

• The Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, established by the Tian Tang Group, is transforming lives in Mbale City, Uganda. Workers like Esther Lovisa Nakoberaina and Derrick Nazuga are finding stable employment and improving their livelihoods.

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Ugandans in Mbale are experiencing a positive shift, courtesy of the Chinese-operated factories within the Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park.

Situated 220 kilometers from Uganda’s capital, Kampala, in Mbale City, this industrial hub spans 2.51 square kilometers and owes its existence to the organization and construction efforts of the Tian Tang Group.

Esther Lovisa Nakoberaina, aged 22 and a supervisor at Black Ark—one of the many enterprises housed in the park—shares her journey. Two years ago, after completing her senior four education and encountering financial constraints due to her father’s passing, she found solace in employment at the industrial park.

“Upon joining the company, academic credentials weren’t a prerequisite,” Nakoberaina explains. Over the past two years, she has ascended the ranks to supervise the television assembly plant, her earnings enabling her to support herself, maintain her household, and finance her younger siblings’ education, filling the void left by her mother’s financial limitations.

Derrick Nazuga, employed at Grace Textiles for three years, echoes Nakoberaina’s sentiments. Despite facing previous job insecurities, he finds fulfillment in his current role, attributing his newfound stability to consistent pay and performance-based bonuses, enabling him to invest in property and provide for his family.

Safety and welfare are paramount within these workplaces. Employees attest to the provision of safety equipment and protocols, including antistatic gear to mitigate electric shock risks. Moreover, comprehensive medical care and financial support systems are in place to address health concerns and personal emergencies, fostering a conducive work environment.

Notably, overtime work is compensated at an enhanced rate, incentivizing productivity while rewarding additional effort. Daniel Lubwama, a production supervisor, underscores the company’s commitment to staff well-being, ensuring prompt medical attention and rigorous safety education to minimize workplace incidents.

Kennedy Mushemeza, the public relations manager, sheds light on the park’s expansive scope, housing 48 factories—28 operational and 20 in development. These enterprises span diverse sectors such as textiles, electronics, and construction materials, collectively employing over 6000 Ugandans, with plans to expand to accommodate 15,000 workers. Importantly, the park prioritizes skill development, empowering employees to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors beyond their current roles.

Mariam Lydia Kyalikoba, the human resource manager, emphasizes the park’s adherence to Ugandan employment laws and its role in fostering decent work practices through skills enhancement and equitable opportunities for all employees.

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