On March 4, 2025, at the UK-Africa Business Summit in London, Colonel Edith Nakalema presented Uganda’s Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP), a digital platform designed to enhance transparency and efficiency in the investment process. The portal provides real-time oversight for President Yoweri Museveni and the Ugandan government, allowing investors to report issues, track progress, and access protections against bureaucratic delays and corruption.
The initiative aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan III, which prioritizes economic competitiveness and foreign direct investment (FDI). Speaking alongside Minister of State for Investment Hon. Anite Evelyn, Nakalema emphasized the portal’s role in creating a secure and transparent environment for investors. Anite later commended Nakalema and her team for their efforts, reinforcing the government’s commitment to efficient governance and economic reform.
Also read about the history of Ugandan Independence
Where did Edith Nakalema start from?
Colonel Edith Nakalema’s career has spanned military leadership, anti-corruption enforcement, and now, investment protection.
Who is Edith Nakalema?
Colonel Edith Nakalema, is a Ugandan military officer, who graduated in August 2018 from the Higher Command and Staff Course at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, in Watchfield, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, where she had been admitted in 2017.
Born in Kashaari Village, Mbarara District, Nakalema joined the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and steadily rose through the ranks, becoming Major by 2016 while serving as President Museveni’s Personal Assistant. She later pursued academic training at Nkumba University, Makerere University Business School, and the UK’s Joint Services Command and Staff College, equipping her with expertise in strategic governance.
In 2018, she was appointed head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), where she played a key role in:
- Establishing public reporting channels for corruption cases
- Leading investigations into government offices accused of graft
- Organizing the 2019 Anti-Corruption Walk, a public mobilization event
By 2025, Nakalema had transitioned into economic governance, serving as Senior Presidential Advisor on Anti-Corruption and head of the State House Investors Protection Unit. The EIPP is a direct outcome of her work in improving accountability within Uganda’s investment framework.
How the Electronic Investors Protection Portal Works
The EIPP was officially launched on December 13, 2023, by President Museveni at State House Entebbe. It provides:
- Guidance for investors on navigating Uganda’s investment environment
- A platform for investors to report delays, fraud, or regulatory issues
- Direct government oversight to ensure swift resolutions
- Integration with relevant ministries and agencies for follow-up
The system also includes language translation features to accommodate international investors. Its primary goal is to boost investor confidence and eliminate inefficiencies in Uganda’s economic system.
What’s Next for Edith Nakalema in Economic Governance?
Nakalema’s shift from anti-corruption enforcement to investment protection marks a strategic expansion of her work. With Uganda targeting $500 million in annual foreign direct investment by 2030, initiatives like the EIPP are positioned as key reforms.
While her past work focused on investigating and prosecuting corruption, the EIPP represents a preventative approach, aiming to reduce opportunities for malpractice before they occur. As Uganda continues refining its investment policies, her role in ensuring compliance and transparency is expected to evolve further.
By leading technological solutions to governance challenges, Nakalema’s latest initiative highlights Uganda’s broader efforts to modernize its public administration and investment framework.
