KAMPALA, UGANDA — The State Minister for Industry, Hon. David Bahati, has assured manufacturers of government’s unwavering commitment to addressing operational challenges and strengthening Uganda’s industrial sector following an oversight visit to Najjera Business Hub in Kampala’s suburbs.
The minister, who toured the facility on Monday as part of routine monitoring of the industrial sector, commended investors at the hub for their contribution to value addition and job creation, revealing that the facility employs over 200 Ugandans while producing a wide range of products including plastics, packaging materials, high-end liquid soaps, and animal feeds.
“This hub not only adds value to our raw materials but employs over 200 Ugandans and continues to strengthen Uganda’s export potential,” Bahati said after touring the facility, which hosts manufacturing giants including ADMA International, Nova Plastic Packaging Ltd, and SAMCO Plastics.
The visit was designed to evaluate operational efficiency, monitor production processes, and gain firsthand insight into challenges facing manufacturers, with the government seeking to identify strategic areas for targeted support to boost productivity and value addition.
Speaking on behalf of investors at the hub, Laban Musinguzi highlighted several challenges affecting operations, including high production costs, limited access to markets, and poor infrastructure, which he said continue to undermine the competitiveness of local manufacturers.
The concerns come at a time when the government is aggressively pursuing its industrialization agenda under the Buy Uganda Build Uganda initiative, which seeks to promote local content and reduce dependency on imported goods.
Minister Bahati reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting value chains, particularly in cocoa, coffee, and other raw materials, as a driver for industrial growth and economic prosperity.
He assured manufacturers that government would work closely with the private sector to address the challenges raised, ensuring industries receive the necessary support to expand, increase productivity, and add value to locally available raw materials.
“We remain committed to creating a conducive business environment that fosters sustainable growth within Uganda’s industrial value chain,” Bahati stated.
The factory engagement is part of broader government efforts to maintain close collaboration with industrial players. The routine visits to industries are designed to assess performance, identify policy and operational bottlenecks, and strengthen the partnership between government and manufacturers.
Such engagements provide valuable feedback that informs policy interventions aimed at promoting industrialization, boosting value addition, creating employment opportunities, and advancing Uganda’s vision of a resilient and competitive manufacturing sector.
