MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COOPERATIVES ON THE UPCOMING: WORLD ACCREDITATION DAY CELEBRATIONS 2025
Ladies and Gentlemen, A very good morning to you. I am honored to address you today on the eve of the commemoration of the World Accreditation Day 2025 in Uganda. The World Accreditation Day (WAD) is a global initiative established by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF), to raise awareness on the importance of accreditation amongst all relevant stakeholders. The day is celebrated in over 100 economies worldwide, represented by more than 100 accreditation bodies with the purpose of promoting accreditation. This year, the World Accreditation Day shall be commemorated around the theme; Accreditation: Empowering …
Invest in quality packaging and make Ugandan products competitive in the market – Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi
The Minister of State for Trade Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi has urged local manufacturers and producers to prioritize quality branding and packaging to effectively position themselves in the competitive market both domestically and internationally. Mbadi was officiating at the closing ceremony of the 3 days’ masterclass training in packaging technology organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives in partnership with the Institute of Packaging Partners of Uganda (IPPU) and the World Packaging Organisation, supported by the International Trade Center and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). In his remarks, Gen. Mbadi noted that good packaging is …
Uganda Hosts Global Packaging Masterclass to Boost Trade Competitiveness
Uganda joins a select group of seven countries globally—and only three in Africa—to host the prestigious World Packaging Organization (WPO) Masterclass in Packaging Technology. The three-day training runs from August 5th to 7th, 2025, at Protea Hotel Kampala. The training is organized by the Institute for Packaging Partners of Uganda (IPPU) in partnership with and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, and funded by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) Officiating the opening ceremony, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, underscored the strategic importance of quality packaging in enabling product protection, market access, shelf-life extension, and export competitiveness. …
Inaugural Regional BUBU Trade Show held in Mbarara City
Mbarara, Uganda – The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives officially launched the first-ever Regional Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) Trade Show, held at Independence Grounds in Mbarara City. The trade show brought together local producers and manufacturers from Western region including Ankole, Kigezi, Tooro, Bunyoro and the neighbouring areas who showcased their innovations and products produced locally. Other exhibitors included government agencies that facilitate production and trade, and other private sector players. The event was officiated by the State Minister for Trade, Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who urged local producers to prioritize product quality and certification as a …
FUSPro and MTIC Align to Strengthen Uganda’s Beauty Industry
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Uganda’s salon and beauty industry through structured policy support, following a stakeholder meeting with the Federation of Uganda Salons and Beauty Professionals (FUSPro). FUSPro, which currently unites over 120,000 professionals and 19,000 salons, presented its progress in skills development, value addition, waste management, and promotion of organic beauty products. The federation operates across 141 districts, impacting a national workforce of 2.13 million, and trains special interest groups including refugees and people with disabilities. The Under Secretary at MTIC, Mr. Deogratius Masagazi urged FUSPro to organize its …
Govt takes the Buy Uganda Build Uganda Campaign to Western Uganda
As part of the implementation of the Buy Uganda Build Uganda policy, the government of Uganda through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives has organized a campaign to promote locally made products in Western Uganda. The campaign started with the mobilization of local processors, manufacturers and commercial farmers from western Uganda including Tooro, Rwenzori, Kigezi, Ankole and Bunyoro regions with a call to take advantage of Government’s deliberate effort to support local producers and service suppliers with a view of increasing the domestic market share of their products. During the mobilization meetings held between11th to 15th July 2025 in …
UNBS gets New National Standards Council
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, inaugurated the 10th National Standards Council (NSC), the top most governing body (board of directors) of UNBS to ensure effective service delivery. During the inauguration ceremony, at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Hon. Mwebesa urged the new board to prioritise improving quality of locally manufactured goods to protect the public and environment against dangerous substandard products. “Help the businesses to comply with standards, through capacity building programs. Conduct regular factory checks where goods are made to ensure that they comply with the relevant standards before they are placed on the market …
Uganda, DRC Launch UGX 41 billion Borderlands Programme to Boost Trade and Peace
The Government of Uganda through the Uganda Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives officially launched the Uganda – DRC Peaceful and Resilient Borderlands Programme aiming to transform cross-border trade into a pathway for peace and economic growth. With support from the EU Delegation in Uganda and implementation partnerships with Trademark Africa and International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the programme seeks to promote regional integration, empower small-scale traders, and ensure the free movement of people and goods between the two countries regardless of war and conflict ongoing. Hon. Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade, emphasized the importance of infrastructure development and empowering …
Trade Minister Roots for Trade Expansion And Industrial Skills Training in Dialogue With China
In a strategic move to boost economic ties between Uganda and China, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Francis Mwebesa held a dialogue with a delegation from the Chinese Embassy in Uganda with emphasis on strengthening trade, improving quality standards, and enhancing technical capacity in Uganda’s industrial sector. Minister Mwebesa hosted the Chinese delegation led by Deputy Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Fan Xuechang at his office in Kampala. He highlighted the vital role China plays in Uganda’s trade landscape. He lauded China’s support in scholarships and training programs that have upskilled Ugandan professionals and boosted industrial performance. Mwebesa …
Government launches UGX 33 billion project to support SMEs
The Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives in partnership with the International Trade Center and with support from the European Union has launched a new project that aims at empowering Uganda’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and positioning them to take advantage of the opportunities in the global market with a focus on the European market. The Sustainable Business for Uganda (SB4U) is a four-year UGX 33 billion project designed to ensure that Uganda’s SMEs have the policy and business environment they need to grow, compete and trade both within the continent and internationally especially …
