Business
Trade minister Tanna meets manufacturers
The meeting, held at the Lugogo-based UMA offices, brought together government officials and manufacturers to discuss the challenges facing the sector and agree on a way forward for industrial growth.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna (center). (File photo)
By: Ali Twaha, Journalist @New Vision
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The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna, has met members of the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) to strengthen ties between his ministry and the private sector as the country pushes its industrialisation agenda.
The meeting, held at the Lugogo-based UMA offices, brought together government officials and manufacturers to discuss the challenges facing the sector and agree on a way forward for industrial growth.
Speaking on behalf of UMA, Richard Mubiru, a board member and chairman of the Economic Business Policy Committee, raised several concerns on behalf of manufacturers, including: a revisit of the Employment Act (particularly on severance pay), review excise duties and other taxes, and reconsider the 30% upfront deposit required by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) for Tax Tribunal appeals.
UMA also pushed for deliberate steps to formalise the informal sector, promote decent employment, enforce association membership, and set up a structured industrial licensing framework.
Responding to the concerns, Tanna said the ministry’s focus is on data collection, adding that efforts are underway to digitise databases and support evidence-based policy-making. He advised manufacturers to adopt net metering to cut power costs.
Tanna told the manufacturers they have a central role to play in delivering Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy under the National Development Plan IV, which targets a $500b economy.
UMA also pushed for deliberate steps to formalise the informal sector, promote decent employment, enforce association membership, and set up a structured industrial licensing framework.
Responding to the concerns, Tanna said the ministry’s focus is on data collection, adding that efforts are underway to digitise databases and support evidence-based policy-making. He advised manufacturers to adopt net metering to cut power costs.
Tanna told the manufacturers they have a central role to play in delivering Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy under the National Development Plan IV, which targets a $500b economy.
He urged them to align their investments with government’s four priority areas, namely agro-industrialisation, tourism development, mineral development, and science, technology and innovation.
He also committed to working with manufacturers on the rollout of the Authorised Tax Management System (ATMS), including offering flexible compliance options through digital systems and conducting quarterly factory visits.
State Minister for Industry, David Bahati, said industrial mapping is underway and legislation on licensing is being finalised.
He said the industrial sector now contributes 27.4% to GDP, and that government remains committed to achieving a 5 cent per unit electricity tariff for factories.
He also committed to working with manufacturers on the rollout of the Authorised Tax Management System (ATMS), including offering flexible compliance options through digital systems and conducting quarterly factory visits.
State Minister for Industry, David Bahati, said industrial mapping is underway and legislation on licensing is being finalised.
He said the industrial sector now contributes 27.4% to GDP, and that government remains committed to achieving a 5 cent per unit electricity tariff for factories.