Prime
BUBU takes shape despite challenges
Improvement. Government says there has been marked improvement since adopting Bubu policy. PHOTO BY EDGAR R BATTE
What you need to know:
- Ms Kyambadde said, at least five cement factories are operating and producing 4.43 million metric tonnes per annum, an improvement from two million metric tonnes five years ago. “This exponential increase in capacity for iron, steel and cement has been precipitated by large government projects in the offing including roads, dams (Karuma dam, Isimba, Bujagali) and the planned oil and gas pipeline,” Ms Kyambadde said.
Kampala. Trade ministry has released a self-evaluation report of the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (Bubu) initiative, launched two years ago to promote production and consumption of Ugandan products.
Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde, released the scorecard on Tuesday in Kampala highlighting the achievements plus challenges so far.
Highlighting some areas that need more support, Ms Kyambadde urged supermarkets to increase Ugandan products, suggesting that Ugandans should also consume more local pharmaceutical supplies and participate in the oil and gas sector.
She said there are deliberate moves by some government agencies to buy local products.
“Uganda National Roads Authority awarded contracts worth Shs423b to local contractors [in the 2017/8 financial year]. In addition, a total of Shs423b was awarded to local providers through mandatory sub-contracting by foreign providers,” Ms Kyambadde said.
In the pharmaceutical industry, Ms Kyambadde said the National Medical Stores procured medical supplies worth Shs156b from local companies.
Additionally, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company, procured energy equipment worth Shs1.1 billon from local companies.
In the oil and gas sector, products worth Shs141b out of the Shs500b spent in the sector were locally sourced in the last financial year, according to the assessment report.
Ms Kyambadde said, at least five cement factories are operating and producing 4.43 million metric tonnes per annum, an improvement from two million metric tonnes five years ago. “This exponential increase in capacity for iron, steel and cement has been precipitated by large government projects in the offing including roads, dams (Karuma dam, Isimba, Bujagali) and the planned oil and gas pipeline,” Ms Kyambadde said.
However, BUBU still faces challenges such as poor quality goods produced locally, poor sanitation and hygiene practices and poor attitude towards locally made products.
“There are still areas we need to focus on for example; the markets that sell our food and the way they display it. We are going to be tough on the way they sell food. You go to Nakasero and find salads on the floor,” Ms Kyambadde said.
Meanwhile, the Trade ministry has organised a free health camp that will run from March at Kololo Independence Grounds.
Scorecard
Iron and steel sector currently has 24 factories with an installed capacity of 1.7m tonnes per annum from 866,000 tonnes per annum five years ago.
Uganda has five cement factories producing 4.43 million metric tonnes per annum, an improvement from 2million metric tonnes five years ago.
Uganda producing 130,000 bales, equivalent to 24,050 tonnes of cotton per year for the past five years. The country has 39 ginneries with an installed ginning capacity of close to one million bales.
Total spinning capacity is 12.2 tonnes per day.
Uganda has a weaving capacity of 80,000 metres per day and knitting capacity of 8.2 tonnes per day.
Leather sector with seven operational tanneries, has created seven medium sized footwear factories and more than 800 micro and small –scale entrepreneurs.
