Message by Hon. Mwebesa Francis, Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives on the 59^th Independence Anniversary

The Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Sector is focused on realising sustainable cooperatives, competitive trade and world class industrial products and services. The Sector is very critical in the realization of Uganda’s Vision 2040 of a transformed Ugandan society from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country. Securing our future comes with responsibilities, commitment and hard work. My focus as the Minister responsible for this Sector is to see traders and industrialists transform into a middle-income class; and to work towards transforming the mindset of Ugandans to embark on productive enterprises through among others domestic investment and popularizing commercial services right up to local government level. The National Industrial Policy that was launched this year will enhance industrialization in the country, create employment, increase value addition to our local raw materials, increase export of locally manufactured products and increase the country’s GDP. Through the Policy, the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is key in order to make their products competitive in the international market. We are also addressing the issue of value addition and quality standards of our locally manufactured products. My Ministry is committed to increasing market access for Uganda’s products; we now have the African Continental Free Trade Area which is a great market opportunity for Uganda. But this is not all. I, therefore, call upon traders and industrialists at different levels and Ugandans in general to take advantage of the conducive investment environment created by Government to engage in productive enterprises for increased household incomes. We shall continue engaging with the private sector to drive the economic growth of Uganda. I, therefore, wish all Ugandans a happy 59^th Independence anniversary. For God and My Country!