Press Release Driving Private Sector-led Development in Uganda. Date: Friday, 18th July 2024

About PCF

The Presidential CEO Forum (PCF) is a Presidential initiative established under the directive of H.E the President, who also serves as its patron. PCF aims at promoting private sector engagement in Uganda's development agenda. Under the supervision of a board composed of senior citizens in the private and public sectors, PCF collaborates with key government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as private enterprises. PCF strives to create an inclusive environment conducive to economic growth, innovation, and prosperity for all Ugandans. Founded in 2020, PCF stands as a cornerstone of Uganda's development strategy, registered under the Company's Act with a singular mission: to bolster and advocate for private sector engagement in both local and international initiatives.

A Tripartite Alliance for Progress

PCF operates uniquely as an indigenous association in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and the private sector. This tripartite collaboration creates a powerful platform where private sector manufacturers and industrialists collaborate closely with key government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Together, they champion the inclusion of the private sector in pivotal developmental agendas.

Collaboration and Promoting Developmental Synergy

At its core, PCF facilitates meaningful partnerships that drive economic growth and sustainability across Uganda. By fostering dialogue and collaboration between private enterprises and government bodies, PCF enables strategic alignment of efforts towards national development goals. This inclusive approach ensures that both sectors work hand-in-hand to address challenges and leverage opportunities for the benefit of all Ugandans.

Catalyzing Economic Growth

PCF's initiatives span various sectors, including Agriculture, Tourism, Mineral Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Science, and Technology. By advocating for policies that support business growth and innovation, PCF creates an enabling environment where private sector entities can thrive and contribute significantly to Uganda's economic landscape. PCF supports targeted interventions and advocacy efforts to unlock the full potential of Uganda's private sector as a driver of sustainable development and prosperity.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for Inclusive Development

As Uganda continues on its path of socio-economic transformation, PCF remains committed to advancing the interests of the private sector and fostering collaboration with government stakeholders. By harnessing the expertise and resources of both sectors, PCF strives to build a resilient economy that empowers businesses, creates jobs, and improves the quality of life for all Ugandans.

Our Mission

To promote, harness, and popularize private sector involvement by providing a platform that advocates for appropriate legislation, practices, and policies that eliminate bottlenecks to economic development.

Our Vision

To be the leading forum that champions private sector entrepreneurs to actively participate in economic activities that foster private sector development.

Our Core Values

• Transparency
• Integrity
• Entrepreneur-centered approach
• Value for people
• Nationalism and patriotism

PCF Objectives

1. Mobilize, sensitize, equip, and provide technical assistance to both private and informal sectors for wealth creation, research, and development.
2. Harness private sector efforts in national development, promoting industrialization, human resource development, and innovation for shared national prosperity.
3. Identify and nurture vibrant sectors of the private sector to contribute to national development through job creation and income stability.
4. Advocate for policies and practices that eliminate barriers to economic growth and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
5. Mobilize CEOs, heads of government departments, agencies, and private sector entities to contribute to the National Vision 2040.

Core Key Achievements

1. Private Sector representative at Cabinet Level by Presidential CEO Forum Chairman at the 1st Bi-Annual Retreat on 5th December, 2021.
2. Major milestones championed by Presidential CEO High-level Retreats as captured in the FY 2024/25 budget:
   • Exemption of investors from tax capital gains from the sale of holdings in private equity or venture funds regulated by the Capital Markets Authority.
   • Provision of a tax holiday on income for manufacturers and fabricators of electric motor vehicles, electric motorcycles, electric batteries, and charging equipment.
   • Tax exemptions for the supply of electric motorcycles, vehicles manufactured or fabricated in Uganda, and related services.
3. Held four successful Private Sector Bi-Annual Retreats hosted by His Excellency the President.
4. Establishment of a permanent home for the Presidential CEO Forum.

Bi-Annual Retreats

The Bi-Annual Private Sector CEO Retreat is the national leading high-level meeting of Ugandan CEOs focusing on growth strategies. Biannually, the retreat gathers over 500 participants to discuss matters of national importance as guided by the thematic area of each retreat. Fact findings are conducted through structured stakeholder engagements that inform the meeting's resolutions, adopted at each engagement by H.E the President.

PCF Secretariats boasts of hosting the following technical working groups aligned with the established National Organizing Committees:

• The Private Equity Technical Working Group chaired by the Capital Markets Authority.
• The E-Mobility Technical Working Group chaired by Kiira Motors.
• The Editorial Committee chaired by Prof. Stephen of Makerere Business School.

Flagship Publications

The PCF Secretariat prides itself on producing two major flagship publications under the ministerial policy statements as deliverables:

• Corporate Uganda Magazine: Providing comprehensive insights into Uganda's corporate landscape and economic conditions.
• Annual Statistical Yearbook: Offering detailed statistical analysis and data on Uganda's economic environment.

CEO Database and International Fora

The Presidential CEO Forum builds its ecosystem from an indigenous database with over 1,800 CEOs, facilitating sector-specific categorization and expected growth. PCF also participates in international business summits led by the President of Uganda, enhancing global partnerships and forming Public-Private Partnerships to access regional and international markets.

Information Dissemination

The PCF Secretariat publishes various information materials, including newsletters, info kits, magazines, reports, and utilizes multiple platforms such as websites, social media, press releases, newspaper supplements, and documentaries to communicate PCF interventions and promote transparency.

1st BAR (First Presidential CEO Forum Bi-Annual Private Sector CEO Retreat)

The first retreat, held from 3rd to 5th December 2021 at NALI under the theme "Enhancing collaboration between the business community and Government leaders to attain Socio-and Economic Transformation," was hosted by H.E the President. The President praised the formation of this indigenous think tank group, emphasizing the focus on addressing key social aspects affecting all Ugandans to accelerate economic growth, including reducing manufacturing costs, major infrastructural costs, and building social infrastructure such as schools and roads. H.E noted that PCF complements government efforts to resolve key bottlenecks to private sector growth, development, and overall competitiveness. By creating a conducive business environment, the government aims to enhance the production capacities of manufacturers and industrialists, leveraging policies such as Local Content and Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) to tap into market opportunities beyond domestic, EAC, AFCTA, and international markets.