Leaders from Uganda’s private and public sectors have called for stronger private sector participation and deeper conversations on public debt management to support sustainable economic growth.
The remarks were made during the ongoing Foreign Chambers Policy Summit in Kampala, where stakeholders assessed the impact of the FY 2026/27 National Budget, employment reforms, and sovereignty-related legislation on business and investment.
The summit brought together key players from the public and private sectors to discuss how emerging policy measures will shape Uganda’s business environment and influence investment decisions.
Eve Zalwango, General Manager of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Uganda, commended the unity among foreign business chambers, saying collaboration between the American, British, and French chambers, together with the Netherlands-Uganda Trade and Investment Platform (NUTIP), has strengthened private sector advocacy over the past 18 months.
“Collaboration has been key,” Zalwango said, noting that a unified private sector voice has improved engagement with government institutions.
Participants at the summit emphasized the need for predictable, transparent, and consistent policymaking to boost investor confidence and support Uganda’s ambition of becoming a tenfold economy.
They said policy certainty is essential for attracting investment, creating jobs, and sustaining long-term growth, especially as the country focuses on industrialisation, value addition, export promotion, digital transformation, infrastructure development, and regional trade integration.
Turyamureba said the national budget is more than a fiscal document, arguing that businesses closely examine government spending priorities when making decisions on expansion, recruitment, and long-term investments.
“These are not merely legislative or policy matters. They are issues that directly influence investment decisions, business operations, job creation, labour relations, competitiveness, and investor confidence,” Turyamureba said.
Anna Grodzki, Managing Director of Matooke Tours and a board member of NUTIP, called for more structured engagement and improved data-sharing between policymakers and the private sector. She acknowledged government’s willingness to listen to concerns raised by businesses.
Kate Kizza, Executive Director and Chief Corporate and Institutional Banking Officer at dfcu Bank, highlighted the institution’s transformation from the Development Finance Company of Uganda, established in 1964, into a major commercial bank supporting businesses across the country.
“We pride ourselves on one purpose: transforming lives and businesses in Uganda,” Kizza said.
She said dfcu’s strategy focuses on sustainable growth through innovation, financial inclusion, and empowerment, with support targeting key sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, trade, ICT, education, health, infrastructure, and energy.
Kizza also highlighted dfcu’s support for smallholder farmers through the dfcu Foundation, aimed at promoting financial inclusion and strengthening agricultural enterprises.
She emphasized the importance of partnerships rather than competition in driving national transformation.
“Each of us has to do the little part that we can to actually achieve this transformation,” Kizza said.
The summit highlights Uganda’s efforts to accelerate economic growth through investment, industrial development, and regional trade, as businesses continue to monitor policy reforms that will shape the country’s long-term competitiveness.
