In the evolving landscape of economic development, Uganda stands out for its deliberate and structured efforts to attract, protect, and retain investment. Central to this strategic vision is the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) — a specialized presidential office committed to ensuring investor confidence, protecting capital, and eliminating systemic inefficiencies that hinder Uganda’s development momentum.
Headed by Colonel Edith Nakalema, SHIPU reflects Uganda’s strong political will to anchor investments in accountability, transparency, and security, making it not just a government unit, but a cornerstone of national transformation.
A Vision-Aligned Mandate for Economic Resilience
SHIPU is not an isolated institution; it is deeply anchored in Uganda’s national development architecture. Its operations are guided by three critical frameworks:
- Uganda Vision 2040: This long-term plan positions private sector investment as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation. SHIPU translates this vision into reality by removing barriers and de-risking the investment climate.
- NRM Manifesto 2021–2026: Within the ruling government’s commitment to industrialization, job creation, and fighting corruption, SHIPU plays a central role by swiftly resolving investor grievances and tackling malpractice.
- National Development Plan III (NDPIII): With a focus on governance, innovation, and private-sector competitiveness, SHIPU provides the institutional strength and agility needed to implement NDPIII’s strategic investment objectives.
This alignment ensures that SHIPU’s work directly contributes to Uganda’s emergence as a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable economy
The Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP): A Game-Changer
At the heart of SHIPU’s operational effectiveness lies the Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP) — a secure, web-based platform that enables investors to:
- File complaints confidentially and track resolution status;
- Engage directly with government agencies in real time;
- Report corruption, extortion, and inefficiencies in the investment process.
The portal, available at https://protection.statehouseinvest.go.ug, represents digital governance at its best, bridging investors with the highest levels of government while promoting institutional accountability.
As a result of this innovation, Uganda has registered an 80% increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) — a powerful endorsement of SHIPU’s strategic relevance.
Global Partnerships and Confidence Building
SHIPU’s recent engagement with Her Excellency Frederieke Quispel, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda, further illustrates the unit’s role in international investor confidence-building. Their dialogue reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to long-term investment in Uganda, especially in value addition, agriculture, and technology.
Ambassador Quispel praised Uganda as a “top entrepreneurial nation,” and welcomed SHIPU’s invitation to act as an ambassador for the EIPP within the Dutch investor community. This collaboration affirms Uganda’s positioning as a reliable investment destination guided by integrity and institutional support.
A Track Record of Impact
Beyond policy alignment and digital tools, SHIPU delivers real, measurable impact:
- Swift resolution of investor grievances involving both public and private sector actors;
- Increased investor retention through active protection mechanisms;
- Improved trust in government systems among local and international investors;
- Enhanced institutional coordination, with key agencies like URSB, UIA, and the Ministry of Finance actively collaborating through SHIPU frameworks.
Why SHIPU Matters: A National Asset in Economic Transformation
In a time when global investment flows are highly sensitive to risk, SHIPU acts as Uganda’s presidential-level assurance that all investments will be protected from malpractice, abuse of office, and bureaucratic delays. For a country aiming to move from subsistence to prosperity, SHIPU is not just facilitating growth — it is protecting the very foundation of transformation
A Note to Investors and Stakeholders
To all prospective and existing investors, Uganda sends a clear message:
Invest with confidence. Grow with Uganda. SHIPU is your strategic partner.
Visit the Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP):
https://protection.statehouseinvest.go.ug
