The government has unveiled a renewed strategy to improve access to trade and business support services, positioning digital transformation and decentralisation as key drivers of Uganda’s economic growth.
The revelations were made during a regional business symposium in Mbale that brought together policymakers and private sector players to identify practical solutions aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening the country’s business environment.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Under Secretary Deogratious Masagazi said the ministry is prioritising reforms aimed at making services more accessible, efficient, and responsive to businesses across the country.
Central to the strategy is the rollout of digital platforms to handle licensing, registration, and certification processes—a move expected to reduce delays, cut operational costs, and improve efficiency for businesses.
Addressing the symposium, Masagazi emphasised that limited access to government services has long constrained the growth of enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized businesses and cooperatives.
He noted that improving service accessibility is critical to unlocking the country’s industrial and trade potential, especially in regional hubs such as Mbale.
“Our goal is to ensure that government services are not only available, but easy to access and relevant to every Ugandan business—from large industries to smallholder farmers,” he said.
The ministry also plans to expand its presence at the local level by equipping commercial officers to deliver technical support, market information, and advisory services directly to businesses and cooperatives.
However, officials acknowledged persistent challenges, including limited access to finance, infrastructure gaps, and information barriers that continue to affect business growth.
Masagazi also highlighted the government’s focus on promoting production and value addition as part of its broader industrialisation agenda.
He pointed to opportunities in preferential regional and international markets such as the East African Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that while these markets offer significant potential, they also come with stiff competition.
He emphasised the urgency of strengthening support to private sector players to enable them to compete effectively and fully exploit available market opportunities.
