Businessman and philanthropist Captain Mukula has urged Uganda to prioritize domestic participation in major infrastructure projects, arguing that the country’s long-term economic independence depends on building strong local capacity in road construction and engineering.
Speaking on the state of Uganda’s development trajectory, Mukula said the country is at a critical point years after its liberation struggle, where attention must shift from political sovereignty to what he termed “economic and industrial self-reliance.”
“Uganda stands at a decisive moment years after our liberation struggle, the next frontier of sovereignty is economic and industrial self-reliance. One critical sector is road construction and engineering.”
Mukula raised concern over continued reliance on foreign contractors for large-scale infrastructure projects, noting that this practice has slowed the growth of local firms and limited job creation within the country.
He argued that deliberate investment in Ugandan companies would help bridge this gap.
“We cannot continue to outsource major infrastructure projects while local capacity remains underdeveloped,” he said, adding that Uganda should strategically support at least four credible local road construction firms, including the UPDF Engineering Brigade.
According to him, strengthening domestic firms would not only enhance technical skills but also ensure that public funds circulate within the national economy, boosting employment and innovation.
Mukula pointed to Ethiopia as an example of a country that has intentionally prioritized local contractors in infrastructure development, saying the approach has supported skills transfer and strengthened industrial capacity.
“Countries like Ethiopia have demonstrated that prioritizing domestic firms can accelerate skills transfer, create jobs, and retain capital within the economy,” he noted.
He was quick to clarify that his position was not against international partnerships but rather a call for balance in how such partnerships are structured.
“This is not about rejecting foreign partnerships, but about correcting an imbalance that has long disadvantaged local enterprise,” he said.
Mukula further emphasized that strategic infrastructure should serve as a foundation for national strength rather than dependency on external actors.
He argued that empowering Ugandan companies would lay the groundwork for long-term resilience in the sector.
“Strategic infrastructure should be a foundation for national strength, not dependency,” he said. “By empowering Ugandan firms, we lay the groundwork for innovation, resilience, and true sovereignty.”
He concluded by stressing that Uganda’s path to economic independence requires intentional policy direction and long-term planning, adding that the country’s infrastructure should be built “deliberately, boldly, and with vision.”