To grow the country’s economy by 12 percent as envisaged in the National Development Plan III, manufacturers must be supported through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).

The suggestion was made by Deo Kayemba, the Chairperson of the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), at the inaugural UMA Pre-budget Breakfast Dialogue on 5th March 2024 at the UMA Multi-purpose Hall in Lugogo, Kampala.

“It is our humble request that the government supports the manufacturing sector through PPPs in setting up key primary industries while the private sector in particular continues to specialize in secondary industries,” Kayemba said.

The inaugural UMA Pre-budget Breakfast Dialogue was held under the theme ‘30 Years of Progress of the Manufacturing Sector in Realizing the National Vision 2040 and 2021/26 NRM Manifesto Objectives.’

The Minister of State for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives (industry), David Bahati, speaking at the dialogue reiterated the government’s commitment to secure markets for manufacturers through leveraging trade agreements such as the East African Community and African Free Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA) that presents a vast market of more than 1.3 billion people.

“Exports of goods and services have grown to $6.2 billion by September 2023 (a growth rate of 49%). The EAC is the major destination of Uganda’s exports accounting for 40% of the total exports, followed by the Middle East (22%) and Asia (20%). As a result, the goods trade deficit has declined by 8.9% to $3.3 billion,” Bahati said.

The Minister also noted that the government seeks to build an integrated and self-sustaining economy through value addition, with a substantial amount of money dedicated to building 22 industrial parks.

Budget Process

Kayemba said the Uganda Manufacturers Association has over the past years presented national issues and tax policy proposals to the government through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and received wins of up to 70 percent in some years in the National Budget.