Tayebwa Calls for Strategic Interventions to Empower Local Enterprises

KAMPALA - Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has urged the government to prioritise support for local enterprises to combat deepening dependence on imports.

Mr Tayebwa, who was speaking at the launch of "Birungi Unlimited", a business-focused book that celebrates local entrepreneurial success, on Thursday, said local enterprises have the potential to create opportunities for citizens to grow their stocks.

One notable point of pride, he shared, was that Uganda has now ceased importing gloves, a shift he credited to the resilience and capabilities of local manufacturers.

“It’s a milestone for us. We are witnessing Ugandan companies rise to fill critical gaps, and this is a direction we must support to empower our local industries.” Tayebwa said at the book launch attended by a diverse audience of business leaders and policymakers.

Addressing the growing demand for locally-led infrastructure projects, Tayebwa acknowledged that some Ugandans still have preferences for foreign contractors over local firms for major projects.

However, he commended the government’s recent stance to prioritize local companies for such contracts, describing this as a significant step toward enhancing national capacity.

"The government’s support for Ugandan companies helps build skills, create jobs, and keep revenue within the country,” he asserted.

Tayebwa also turned his focus to the escalating costs of fuel, which he attributed to intermediaries who inflate prices for their gain.

“The high cost of fuel is straining households and businesses alike,” he said, advocating for subsidies to ease the burden on Ugandans.

"We are glad the price of fuel is now coming down from Shs7,000 to Shs5,000 now," he added.

 

According to Tayebwa, reducing reliance on middlemen is critical to controlling prices and ensuring that essential commodities like fuel remain affordable.

He emphasized that with proactive measures in place, Ugandan products could become more competitive and accessible.

Birungi Unlimited was written by Mr Patrick Birungi, the Executive Director of the Uganda Development Corporation.

As Uganda navigates a path toward economic self-sufficiency, Tayebwa’s call to action serves as a reminder of the potential of supporting Ugandan products and the vital role of government in facilitating this transformation.