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Business community members in Ankole pose for a photo during the Ministry of Trade engagement on the new National Trade Policy in Mbarara City. Photo: Jovita Hasto
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By Jovita Hasto
As the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives continues to engage business communities across the country on the proposed Trade Act 2024, stakeholders in Ankole sub-region have called for the new law to address gaps that were left unresolved in the previous Act, which was enacted in 2007 and expired in 2017.
During an engagement with the business community in Ankole to gather comments and opinions on what the new Trade Act should address, stakeholders emphasized the need for government regulatory bodies to enhance service delivery in areas such as tax collection, business registration, and licensing.
The Trade Act 2024 aims to streamline government operations within the trade sector by merging, mainstreaming, and rationalizing various agencies, commissions, and authorities. While the previous law focused largely on imports and exports, the current economic shift toward the production of gas, oil, gold, and other minerals requires a revised legal framework, informed by public input.
According to the Ministry, the business landscape has significantly changed since 2007, when Uganda's economy was heavily reliant on agriculture products like tea and cotton. The current environment now includes extractive industries and industrial production, necessitating broad-based consultations to inform the new Act's implementation.
Ms. Khadijah Nakakande, Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Trade, stated that the ongoing review of the National Trade Policy, in partnership with TradeMark East Africa, is aimed at gathering stakeholder views from across the country.
“We want to support and nurture private sector competitiveness. The policy will prioritize investment in key sectors like agriculture and industry to boost trade. Ultimately, the goal is wealth creation, job opportunities, and improved household incomes,” she explained.
Nakakande emphasized that reviewing the Act with input from traders is essential to guide the Ministry in promoting trade and industrial growth.
“We are evaluating what has been achieved, the areas covered, and the remaining gaps. Trade is dynamic—it evolves, and we must adapt. The next 10 years require a forward-looking policy that reflects current realities,” she added.
She noted that the Ministry recognizes the need to renegotiate and expand Uganda’s access to international markets.
“In 2007, we focused on the East African Community (EAC), but today we’ve expanded into COMESA, and we are negotiating within EAC-SADC frameworks. Our policy must align with these new realities.”
The proposed policy also aims to address the influx of substandard products and unfair competition, ensuring that Uganda's business community meets quality standards for broader markets.
“We must now focus on emerging issues such as mineral exports and industrial growth—topics that were not considered in 2007. This requires updated strategies based on public consultation,” she said.
Mr. Simon Sezi Mwijuka, Chairman of Mbarara City Traders Association (MBACITA), urged the Ministry to use the new policy to tackle barriers to business, including conflict, corruption, and religious interference.
“We need clear strategies to eliminate these hindrances,” he noted.
He also advocated for greater support for young entrepreneurs, particularly in value addition and industrial skills development.
“The President continues to emphasize value addition and economic transformation. The new policy should guide government agencies in supporting youth-led enterprises to drive industrialization,” Mwijuka said.
Mr. Robert Kanusu, Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Mbarara City, stressed the importance of aligning the policy with national frameworks like the Parish Development Model.
“The policy must include clear implementation steps and consider the voices of all actors. We need a balanced role between government, the private sector, and regulatory bodies,” he said.
Dr. Lauben Tukamuhebwa, a businessman in Mbarara City, emphasized the need for the policy to promote the legality of goods on the market.
“Traders must be trained on new policies. Regulatory delays have cost many entrepreneurs—especially when certifications are delayed,” he said.
He appealed to regulatory agencies like the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to speed up business certification processes to better support trade growth.
