In a significant boost to Uganda’s investment diplomacy, Col Edith Nakalema, Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), hosted Her Excellency Frederieke Quispel, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda, for a high-level meeting aimed at strengthening investor confidence and deepening bilateral economic cooperation.

The meeting, held at SHIPU headquarters in Kampala, focused on shared priorities in promoting and protecting foreign direct investment (FDI), with a particular emphasis on supporting Dutch businesses operating in Uganda’s strategic sectors.

“We are honored to host you, and we value your commitment to an open, constructive dialogue on investment,” Col Nakalema said. “This engagement marks an important step toward improving the facilitation and protection of investors from the Netherlands and other partner countries.”

Col Nakalema highlighted the crucial role diplomatic missions such as the Embassy of the Netherlands play in fostering a conducive investment climate through strategic collaboration, expert insight, and thoughtful guidance. She reaffirmed SHIPU’s mission to ensure that Uganda remains a transparent, secure, and investor-friendly destination.

A key highlight of the discussions was the Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP), a digital platform developed by SHIPU to connect investors directly with government agencies and provide a safe mechanism for reporting concerns.

Col Nakalema noted that the platform has played a major role in improving investor confidence, contributing to an 80% increase in foreign direct investment over the past year.

She encouraged Ambassador Quispel to champion the EIPP among Dutch investors, positioning it as a critical tool for navigating Uganda’s investment processes with greater security and efficiency.

In response, Ambassador Quispel commended Uganda’s efforts in maintaining a stable and welcoming business climate. She noted that the Netherlands sees strong potential for investment in Uganda, not only in traditional sectors such as agriculture but also in emerging fields like technology and value addition.

“Uganda and the Netherlands share many values, including a strong entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to growth,” Ambassador Quispel said. “Dutch companies both large and small are already making a positive impact here, and we are eager to expand our investments and partnerships.”

She emphasized the importance of long-term, mutually beneficial economic relationships.

“Trade and investment are powerful engines of development and the more we collaborate, the more our economies thrive,” Ambassador Quispel revealed. ”We are committed to working closely with Uganda to build a stronger, more inclusive economic future.”

Also in attendance were senior officials including Andrew Byaruhanga, Policy Officer for Trade and Investment at the Netherlands Embassy; Hiromi Abe, Private Secretary to the President on Investment Matters; Arthur Kwesiga, Commissioner for ICT and Innovation at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB); and Walid Kule, Assistant Commissioner for Business Registration at URSB.

This engagement reinforces SHIPU’s growing role as a central institution in Uganda’s investment ecosystem, championing investor protection, driving transparency, and building international trust through economic diplomacy.