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Over 300 sector leaders to meet over setting NDP IV priorities

The annual review to be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Mestil Hotel, Kampala city, will be under the theme: Strengthening Formalisation under the NDP IV, and is expected to be officiated by Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.

Officials of the Private Sector Development Secretariat, including Anthony Kintu Mwanje (L), Gorret Kajumba, the PSD Program Officer (2nd R), and Patricia Nabigala Ekeesit, the PSD Sub Program Assistant (3rd R), among other officials pause for a picture after addressing the press at their office at Crested Towers. (Photo by John Ricks Kayizzi)
By: John Ricks Kayizzi, Journalists @New Vision

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Government officials, private sector leaders, development partners and civil society representatives are set to converge for the Private Sector Development (PSD) Programme Annual Review, a high-level meeting aimed at assessing progress under the National Development Plan III (NDP III) and setting priorities for the implementation of NDP IV.

The annual review to be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Mestil Hotel, Kampala city, will be under the theme: Strengthening Formalisation under the NDP IV, and is expected to be officiated by Speaker of Parliament Anita Among. It is also expected to attract over 300 participants.

Addressing the media on February 11, Anthony Kintu Mwanje, the head of the private sector development secretariat at the finance ministry (MoFPED), said the review comes at a critical moment as Uganda transitions from NDP III to NDP IV.

Anthony Kintu Mwanje, the head of the PSD Secretariat at the finance ministry, addressing the press at their office at Crested Towers. (Photo by John Ricks Kayizzi)

Anthony Kintu Mwanje, the head of the PSD Secretariat at the finance ministry, addressing the press at their office at Crested Towers. (Photo by John Ricks Kayizzi)


“This annual review provides us with a unique platform to take stock of how far we have come in implementing the Private Sector Development Programme and to collectively agree on the priorities that will guide us under NDP IV,” Mwanje said, adding that as they pursue the 10-fold growth agenda, formalisation of enterprises must take center stage if Government is to build a competitive, resilient and inclusive economy.

The review will focus on evaluating the performance of the PSD Programme during the 2024/25 financial year, which marked the final year of NDP III implementation. 

According to the PSD Secretariat, the period reflected the cumulative impact of interventions aimed at reducing informality, increasing local content, lowering the cost of doing business, and improving market access for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

"However, challenges persist, including low survival rates of MSMEs, limited capacity to penetrate key markets, a large informal sector, and weak institutional organisation of private sector actors," said Mwanje, adding that high domestic arrears owed to businesses and constraints in leveraging public investment opportunities have also continued to undermine growth.

Targeted interventions

PSD programme officer Gorret Kajumba said the review will critically examine both achievements and shortcomings to inform more targeted interventions under NDP IV.

“The objective is not just to celebrate success, but to honestly interrogate the gaps and agree on actionable solutions,” she noted, adding that the discussions, especially the panel sessions on informality, will help shape policies and programmes that support enterprise transition, productivity and sustainable growth.”

Gorret Kajumba, the PSD Program Officer, addressing the press at their office at Crested Towers. (Photo by John Ricks Kayizzi)

Gorret Kajumba, the PSD Program Officer, addressing the press at their office at Crested Towers. (Photo by John Ricks Kayizzi)


Key activities planned for the one-day conference include the presentation of the PSD Programme Annual Performance Report (PAPR) for 2024/25, dissemination of the 2025 Assessment of the Informal Sector in Uganda Report and the Private Sector Enterprise Survey (PSES), a keynote address on informality, and the launch of the PSD Programme Implementation Action Plan (PIAP) under NDP IV.

Participants will also engage in panel discussions, receive statements from development partners, local governments and private sector representatives, and tour exhibitions mounted by member ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Inclusive dialogue

PSD sub-committee assistant Patricia Nabilagala said the wide stakeholder participation reflects the Government’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and mutual accountability.

“This review brings together policymakers, implementers and beneficiaries of the PSD Programme. It gives the private sector an opportunity to share first-hand experiences on the impact of government interventions and to propose reforms that can unlock growth,” Nabilagala said.

“The outcome will be a comprehensive conference report outlining emerging issues, priorities and undertakings for the coming financial year.”

She added that the report will be disseminated to all relevant MDAs and tracked through Technical Working Group meetings to ensure effective follow-up and implementation.

The PSD Programme, implemented in line with National Planning Authority and Office of the Prime Minister guidelines, is designed to increase the competitiveness of Uganda’s private sector and drive sustainable, inclusive economic growth. Under NDP III, interventions focused on enterprise development, value addition, market access, and regulatory reforms.

As the Government embarks on NDP IV, stakeholders agree that the formalisation of enterprises will be critical to boosting productivity, expanding the tax base, improving labour standards, and enabling businesses to access finance and public procurement opportunities.

“With the right policy mix, institutional reforms and strong partnerships, Uganda’s private sector can become a powerful engine of growth,” Mwanje said. “This annual review is about forging that shared vision and commitment.”
Tags:
NDP IV
National Development Plan
Uganda economy