Sanjay Tanna has officially assumed office as Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, unveiling a policy direction focused on export promotion, industrialisation, cooperative development, and institutional efficiency as key drivers of economic transformation.
Speaking during the handover ceremony held at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Tanna expressed appreciation to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the appointment and pledged to build on the foundations laid by his predecessors. He also commended outgoing minister Francis Mwebesa, Ministers of State, the Permanent Secretary, and technical staff for their service.
“This ministry is the engine of Uganda’s economy,” Tanna said, describing it as central to wealth creation, job generation, and national development.
He outlined four priority areas for his tenure: promotion of Made-in-Uganda goods under the Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU) policy; accelerated industrialisation through value addition and support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); strengthening cooperatives and SACCOs as tools for grassroots wealth creation; and improving institutional efficiency through a professional, transparent, and corruption-free public service.
Tanna further called for streamlined bureaucracy, improved service delivery, and greater use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance efficiency. He also urged collaboration with the private sector and development partners to improve Uganda’s trade competitiveness and expand market access.
Outgoing minister Francis Mwebesa urged continuity in institutional priorities and expressed confidence in Tanna’s leadership, noting his experience in public service.
Ministry officials highlighted key achievements over the past five years, including growth in export earnings from about US$6.3 billion in 2021 to approximately US$13.2 billion in 2025. Uganda’s participation in regional and international trade frameworks, including the East African Community (EAC), COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), was also cited as a key driver of trade expansion.
Officials further noted continued growth in the industrial sector, driven by value addition, standards compliance, technology transfer, and MSME development. The cooperative movement was also highlighted as a key channel for mobilising communities and improving household incomes.
The ministry operates through eight departments, including External Trade, Internal Trade, Industry and Technology, and Cooperative Development, supported by agencies such as the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), and Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI).
Tanna assumes leadership at a time when government is prioritising export-led growth and industrial transformation. He called for unity in promoting local products and expanding Uganda’s presence in regional and global markets.