MBARARA — State Minister for Trade David Bahati has urged manufacturers in Ankole to increase production and value addition to take advantage of growing markets in East Africa and across the African continent.
Bahati made the call while attending the Ankole Industrial Development and Export Promotion Workshop at Birya United Agencies in Ruti Trading Centre, where local manufacturers exhibited products and highlighted the potential of the region’s productive sector.
The minister said Uganda’s industrialisation drive must be anchored on increased production, processing and exports, with local manufacturers playing a central role in creating employment and reducing the country’s import bill.
He noted that some manufacturers participating in the productive sector are already employing up to 200 Ugandans, demonstrating the potential of local industries to generate jobs and stimulate economic activity.
Bahati said Government is working to support manufacturers through tax incentives, affordable financing, irrigation, infrastructure and industrial parks.
He said Uganda plans to establish 22 industrial parks across the country, with 12 already operational.
Bahati urged manufacturers to utilise the industrial parks to expand production, promote agro-industrialisation and add value to locally produced agricultural and other raw materials.
He said the availability of large regional and continental markets presents an opportunity for Ugandan manufacturers to move beyond producing for local consumption.
“The EAC and AfCFTA are opening markets of over 366 million and 1.2 billion people respectively,” Bahati said.
He stressed that Uganda must produce quality goods in sufficient quantities if local manufacturers are to compete successfully in these markets.
The minister said increased exports would generate foreign exchange, create jobs and strengthen local enterprises while reducing reliance on imported products.
He called for stronger collaboration among Government, manufacturers and other stakeholders to address constraints affecting industrial production and ensure that local businesses can compete effectively.
“As Ugandans, we need to produce more, process more and export more,” Bahati said.
He said the ultimate objective should be to ensure that industrialisation and economic transformation deliver tangible benefits to communities across Uganda.
The Ankole workshop provided a platform for manufacturers to showcase their products and discuss ways of expanding production, improving competitiveness and accessing wider markets.
