Manufacturers have called for urgent action against counterfeit goods and delays in product certification as the government intensifies efforts to accelerate industrialisation and expand Uganda's economy to US$500 billion (about Shs1.8 quadrillion at current exchange rates) by 2040.
The call came during a high-level meeting between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and the Presidential CEO Forum, chaired by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna.
The meeting was attended by the State Minister for Trade, Gen. Wilson Mbadi, Presidential CEO Forum Chairperson Emmanuel Katongole and other board members.
Participants agreed that stronger collaboration between the ministry and the private sector is essential to address the challenges that continue to increase the cost of doing business and slow industrial growth.
Speaking during the meeting, Katongole said manufacturers continue to face unfair competition from counterfeit and substandard products, which undermine legitimate businesses and erode consumer confidence.
"We want a stronger partnership with the Ministry of Trade to eliminate the obstacles facing manufacturers. Counterfeit and substandard products continue to flood the market, while delays in product certification make it difficult for legitimate businesses to compete fairly," Katongole said.
He added that although manufacturers have consistently engaged the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) on issues relating to product certification and counterfeit goods, many concerns remain unresolved because of slow response times.
State Minister for Trade Gen. Wilson Mbadi reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening Uganda's competitiveness in regional and international markets.
"Our priority is to ensure Uganda produces the right quality and quantities of goods to meet market demand. We also need to strengthen cooperative unions, support micro, small and medium enterprises, address non-tariff barriers within the East African Community and reduce delays at border points to facilitate trade," Mbadi said.
Trade Minister Sanjay Tanna said the government has already laid the foundation for economic transformation through major investments in roads, electricity, water infrastructure and national security.
He urged the Presidential CEO Forum to work with the ministry to develop a comprehensive digital database of industries operating in Uganda, saying accurate data is essential for effective planning and evidence-based policymaking.
"We cannot plan effectively without accurate statistics. Different institutions continue to generate different figures, making it difficult to make informed decisions. A centralised digital database for industries will help government and the private sector plan better for Uganda's economic growth," Tanna said.
The meeting ended with a commitment by both government and the private sector to strengthen cooperation in removing investment bottlenecks, improving the competitiveness of locally manufactured products and creating an enabling environment for sustainable industrialisation and long-term economic growth.
