State Minister for Industry David Bahati has commended manufacturers operating at the Najjera Industrial Hub for creating jobs, promoting value addition and boosting Uganda’s industrialisation agenda, while pledging continued government support to help the sector overcome its challenges.
Bahati made the remarks during a routine oversight visit to the industrial hub, where he inspected production processes, assessed operational efficiency and held discussions with investors on the opportunities and constraints affecting manufacturing.
After touring the facilities, the minister praised the businesses for adding value to locally available raw materials and contributing to employment and export growth.
“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.
He said the government remains committed to supporting industries through policies that promote value addition, particularly in cocoa, coffee and other agricultural value chains, to accelerate industrial growth and economic transformation.
The Najjera Industrial Hub is home to several manufacturing companies, including ADMA International, Nova Plastic Packaging Ltd and SAMCO Plastics.
The firms produce a range of products, including plastic goods, packaging materials, premium liquid soaps, animal feeds and other value-added products.
Speaking on behalf of the investors, Laban Musinguzi welcomed the minister’s visit but highlighted a number of challenges affecting manufacturers, including high production costs, poor infrastructure and limited access to markets, which he said continue to reduce the competitiveness of locally manufactured products.
Bahati assured the manufacturers that the government would continue engaging the private sector to address the challenges and create a more conducive business environment.
“Government is committed to working closely with the private sector to address these challenges and ensure that industries have the support they need to expand, increase productivity, and add value to locally available raw materials,” he said.
The oversight visit forms part of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives’ ongoing programme to monitor industrial performance, identify policy and operational bottlenecks, and strengthen collaboration with manufacturers in pursuit of a resilient and competitive manufacturing sector.
