By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Sanjat Tanna has revealed strategic steps government is undertaking to achieve Industrial transformation.
Speaking at the 3rd Annual Industrialization Conference 2026, Hon. Sanjay said Uganda is accelerating its industrial transformation with a clear focus on value addition, expanded markets, competitiveness and affordable energy.
He highlighted the progress made by Uganda’s manufacturing and industrial sectors, which now contribute 16.5% and 27.2% to GDP respectively, with manufactured exports earning about USD 1.1 billion annually.
Government’s industrialization agenda prioritises agro-based, extractive-based and knowledge-intensive industries, while supporting increased production capacity, value addition, regional industrial parks, access to finance, reliable electricity, infrastructure development and market access through EAC, COMESA & AfCFTA.
The Minister also announced the development of the National Industries Register and National Industrial Manufacturing Information System (NIMIS), a comprehensive, geo-referenced database that will provide reliable industrial data to strengthen planning, investment, infrastructure development and targeted government support.
Uganda will also host the 3rd Regional Industrialization Conference (RIC 2026) on 18–19 September 2026, bringing together governments, investors, private-sector leaders and development partners to translate industrial policy into concrete investments, regional production ecosystems & globally competitive African industries.
The conference will feature an Industrial Champions Dialogue, providing practical lessons on mobilising long-term capital, overcoming structural barriers, building competitive manufacturing enterprises and leveraging AfCFTA to scale African industrial champions.
Uganda’s industrial transformation is moving from policy to implementation, creating jobs, expanding value addition, strengthening exports and positioning the country for a USD 500 billion economy.
