Press Release H.E President Museveni Addresses the 5th Bi-Annual Private Sector CEO Retreat Date: Friday, 24th July 2020
Gulu, Northern Uganda - President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is pleased to host the 5th Bi-Annual Private Sector CEO Retreat, held at the Gulu Logistics Hub. This retreat, taking place in July 2024, is dedicated to strategically improving the agricultural sector under the major pillar of commercial agriculture, aiming to integrate everyone into the money economy, which currently stands at 69%.
Theme: "Battle to Green Field: Transforming Northern Uganda into a Commercial Hub for Export"
President Museveni expressed his delight in witnessing distinguished leaders united by a shared commitment to unlocking Northern Uganda's vast potential and elevating it to the global stage. The retreat's theme underscores the collective determination to transform Northern Uganda into an export powerhouse and a beacon of prosperity.
Key Initiatives for Transformation:
- Infrastructure Development:
- Commitment to enhancing infrastructure, including roads, railways, and energy supply, to facilitate efficient movement of goods, reduce production costs, and attract investors.
- Commitment to enhancing infrastructure, including roads, railways, and energy supply, to facilitate efficient movement of goods, reduce production costs, and attract investors.
- Agricultural Enhancement:
- Modernizing agricultural practices, supporting farmers with technology and market access, and increasing productivity through initiatives such as irrigation projects, improved seed varieties, and mechanization.
- Modernizing agricultural practices, supporting farmers with technology and market access, and increasing productivity through initiatives such as irrigation projects, improved seed varieties, and mechanization.
- Industrial Growth:
- Establishing industrial parks and promoting value addition to raw materials, creating jobs, and enhancing export capacity by processing agricultural products locally.
- Establishing industrial parks and promoting value addition to raw materials, creating jobs, and enhancing export capacity by processing agricultural products locally.
- Private Sector Engagement:
- Fostering a conducive business environment, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and encouraging public-private partnerships for innovation and economic diversification.
- Fostering a conducive business environment, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and encouraging public-private partnerships for innovation and economic diversification.
- Human Capital Development:
- Investing in education and vocational training to develop a skilled workforce capable of competing globally, with programs to enhance technical and vocational education and entrepreneurship training.
- Investing in education and vocational training to develop a skilled workforce capable of competing globally, with programs to enhance technical and vocational education and entrepreneurship training.
- Environmental Sustainability:
- Promoting sustainable development practices to protect natural resources and ensure long-term growth, adopting green technologies, and safeguarding the environment.
- Promoting sustainable development practices to protect natural resources and ensure long-term growth, adopting green technologies, and safeguarding the environment.
President Museveni emphasized the importance of unity in driving Northern Uganda towards a future of prosperity and global competitiveness. He called upon government stakeholders, private sector leaders, development partners, and local communities to join forces in this transformative journey.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja Reviews Progress at the Presidential CEO Forum
Kampala, Uganda - The Presidential CEO Forum convened to review the progress and status of resolutions aimed at fostering collaboration between the government and the private sector to accelerate Uganda's economic growth and development.
Key Achievements:
- Ease of Doing Business:
- Significant reduction in bureaucratic bottlenecks with the introduction of the One-Stop Service Center for business registration and enhanced online platforms for tax filing and business licensing.
- Significant reduction in bureaucratic bottlenecks with the introduction of the One-Stop Service Center for business registration and enhanced online platforms for tax filing and business licensing.
- Infrastructure Development:
- Major projects including roads, bridges, and energy plants, with the national road network now at 21,000km and ongoing expansion of Entebbe International Airport.
- Major projects including roads, bridges, and energy plants, with the national road network now at 21,000km and ongoing expansion of Entebbe International Airport.
- Industrialization and Manufacturing:
- Promotion of local manufacturing through incentives like tax holidays and subsidized land, resulting in a 15% increase in local manufacturing output.
- Promotion of local manufacturing through incentives like tax holidays and subsidized land, resulting in a 15% increase in local manufacturing output.
- Agriculture and Agro-processing:
- Implementation of the Agricultural Credit Facility and PDM to provide affordable credit to farmers, increasing productivity and establishing new processing plants for export.
- Implementation of the Agricultural Credit Facility and PDM to provide affordable credit to farmers, increasing productivity and establishing new processing plants for export.
- Skills Development and Employment:
- Collaboration with the private sector on skills development programs, training over 10,000 youths, and setting up innovation hubs for self-employment.
- Collaboration with the private sector on skills development programs, training over 10,000 youths, and setting up innovation hubs for self-employment.
- Public-private Partnerships:
- Strengthened partnerships in vocational training to equip the workforce with necessary skills.
- Strengthened partnerships in vocational training to equip the workforce with necessary skills.
Challenges and Future Focus:
Prime Minister Nabbanja acknowledged ongoing challenges such as access to finance, regulatory compliance, and global market competition. Moving forward, the government will enhance public-private dialogue, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and foster innovation and technology adoption across all sectors.
The Prime Minister emphasized the positive results from the collaboration between the government and the private sector through the Presidential CEO Forum. She urged continued efforts to achieve economic transformation and prosperity for Uganda.