Players in Uganda’s construction industry have called for stronger cooperation between government and the private sector to address challenges affecting businesses and support growth in the sector.
The call was made during the 2026 Construction Hardware Dealers Association (CHADA) Annual Conference held on September 18 and 19 at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa in Kigo.
The conference brought together hardware dealers, manufacturers, financial institutions, government officials and other players in the construction value chain.
Discussions centred on some of the key challenges facing the industry, including taxation, counterfeit products, rising material and transport costs, limited access to affordable working capital, business formalization and the need to increase local manufacturing.
Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Gen. Mbasu Mbadi, who officiated at the conference, urged businesses to strengthen their associations and work together when engaging government.
Mbadi said better organisation would help industry players improve standards and service delivery while giving them a stronger voice when raising concerns affecting the sector.
Taxation was also discussed, with government officials pointing to ongoing efforts to review areas where taxes may overlap. They, however, stressed that tax revenue remains important in funding public services and infrastructure.
Minister of State for Finance (General Duties) Amos Lugoloobi urged industry players to view construction as an investment that supports economic activity beyond the building itself.
Lugoloobi said construction projects create demand for materials, labour, transport and other services, providing business opportunities across the wider economy.
Kansai Plascon Uganda, which sponsored the conference, used the event to engage directly with hardware dealers and showcase its latest products and technology.
Among the innovations demonstrated was the company’s colour-matching technology, which can reproduce a desired colour with up to 99.5 per cent matching accuracy.
Customers can take a colour sample, such as a piece of fabric or an existing paint chip, to an authorised Plascon dealer equipped with a tinting machine. The sample is analysed and matched to the Plascon colour system before the paint is produced within minutes.
Head of Marketing at Kansai Plascon Uganda,Daniel Kayongo,said the technology gives dealers an opportunity to offer customers a convenient and accurate colour-matching service.
“Our investment in technology is about making it easier for our dealers to serve their customers,” Kayongo said.
Kayongo also stressed the importance of cooperation across the construction value chain in addressing the industry’s challenges.
“The challenges facing the sector cannot be addressed by manufacturers, dealers or government working independently,” he said. “Partnerships across the value chain are critical to improving standards, strengthening businesses and ultimately delivering better solutions to customers.”
Participants called for closer cooperation between manufacturers, dealers, regulators and government agencies to protect consumers, support legitimate businesses and improve quality standards in the market.
With continued demand for housing and infrastructure, stakeholders said Uganda’s construction sector has opportunities for investment, local manufacturing, job creation and business growth.
Other manufacturers and suppliers exhibited products covering roofing, electrical supplies, paint and other construction categories.
Kansai Plascon Uganda said its participation in the CHADA conference reflects its continued commitment to working with hardware dealers and other industry stakeholders to support innovation and strengthen Uganda’s construction sector.
