Bahati commends businesses driving innovation, economic transformation
More than 160 companies and organisations were recognised for excellence under the theme “Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Innovation.”
The State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), David Bahati (centre), hands over an accolade to representatives of Bethany Women and Family Hospital, one of the companies and organisations recognised for excellence at the second annual Business Excellence Awards held on August 14, 2026. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)
_______________ The Bethany Women and Family Hospital team displays the accolade they received after being recognised among the best-performing companies and organisations at the second annual Business Excellence Awards on August 14, 2026. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba) Some of the guests attend the second annual Business Excellence Awards ceremony at Sheraton Kampala Hotel on August 14, 2026. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)
Industry state minister David Bahati has commended Ugandan entrepreneurs and organisations for creating jobs, promoting value addition, investing in innovation and contributing to the country's economic transformation.
Speaking at the 2026 Business Excellence Awards ceremony organised by Consumer Publications Uganda Limited, Bahati said recognising businesses was more than a celebration of individual success, but also an acknowledgement of their contribution to national development.
“These awards are more than a celebration of success. They are a recognition of the entrepreneurs and companies that are creating jobs, adding value to our products, investing in innovation and contributing to sustainable economic transformation,” Bahati said.
He said the Government remains committed to creating a conducive environment for businesses to grow, compete and expand into regional and international markets.
“We remain committed to creating an environment for businesses to grow, compete and expand into regional and international markets. We will continue supporting local manufacturers, value addition, access to affordable financing, infrastructure development and the promotion of Uganda-made products,” he said.
Bahati encouraged the award winners and other businesses to remain innovative and embrace technology as they seek to improve productivity and competitiveness.
“I encourage the winners and all businesses represented here tonight to remain innovative, embrace technology, invest in our people and pursue excellence,” he said.
He said Uganda's economic transformation would depend largely on a strong and productive private sector working closely with Government.
Bahati congratulated the award winners on their achievements and urged them to continue investing in innovation, people and local production to support Uganda's economic growth.
He commended organisations that invest in innovation and value addition, saying they are contributing to Uganda's economic transformation.
Ministers David Bahati (left) and Alioni Yorke Odria for National Guidance join Paresh Mehta, chairman of the Indian Association of Uganda, to cut a cake after the awards ceremony. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)
More than 160 companies and organisations were recognised for excellence under the theme “Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Innovation.”
Among the businesses recognised was Bethany Women and Family Hospital, whose innovations in women's health and fertility care demonstrate how private healthcare providers are adding value to Uganda's health sector. The hospital has introduced genomics services, allowing patients to access advanced genetic screening and reproductive healthcare services locally.
“Genomics is a new thing in this country. You can now screen for sickle cell and other genetic diseases while the baby is still in the womb,” Dr Pilli said.
Among its innovations, the facility offers specialised fertility services, including in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI) and laparoscopy, which have reduced the need for Ugandans to travel abroad for treatment. He explained that the facility plans to expand fertility services to other parts of the country over the next five years.
“We want to disseminate and democratise fertility care in this country because most Ugandans do not access fertility care,” he said.
The awards, presented at a ceremony held at Sheraton Kampala Hotel on August 14,
2026, also underscored the wider economic importance of innovation and value addition in healthcare.
Uganda Investment Authority board chairman Dr Robert Kyamanywa said business excellence, research and development, and innovation have a ripple effect across the economy.
The Consumer Publications Uganda Limited chief executive officer, Agnes Alowo, said that through the awards, the organisation continues to champion excellence, innovation and customer satisfaction across Uganda's business community.