Below is a crafted article based on the provided information about the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) strategic visit to Good Briquette Initiative Ltd, incorporating the focus areas of collaboration, best practices, and policy growth. The article is written in a professional, engaging tone suitable for publication, drawing on the context of sustainable energy and eco-friendly manufacturing in Uganda. It integrates relevant details from the provided directory and search results where applicable, ensuring factual accuracy and alignment with the event’s objectives. Citations are included as per the guidelines.
Uganda Manufacturers Association Forges Path to Sustainability with Strategic Visit to Good Briquette Initiative Ltd
Kampala, Uganda – On May 13, 2025, the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), led by Executive Director Dr. Ezra Rubanda (
@UMAED1), conducted a strategic visit to Good Briquette Initiative Ltd (
@GoodBriquette), a pioneering enterprise in sustainable energy solutions. The visit, held at the company’s facilities, marked a significant step toward fostering collaboration, sharing eco-friendly manufacturing practices, and advocating for policies to drive Uganda’s industrial progress. This engagement underscores UMA’s commitment to promoting a thriving, sustainable manufacturing sector, aligning with national goals for green industrialization and economic growth.
A Focus on Collaboration for Sustainable Energy
The core objective of the visit was to boost collaboration between UMA and Good Briquette Initiative Ltd, a company dedicated to producing biomass briquettes as an eco-friendly alternative to charcoal and firewood. These briquettes, made from agricultural waste such as coffee husks, rice husks, and corn cobs, offer a sustainable fuel source for households, farms, and small businesses. By leveraging organic waste, Good Briquette addresses Uganda’s heavy reliance on biomass, which accounts for over 80% of the country’s energy consumption, while reducing deforestation and carbon emissions.
Discussions centered on integrating sustainable energy solutions into Uganda’s industrial ecosystem. Good Briquette’s innovative approach aligns with UMA’s Green Industrial Agenda, launched to promote environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across the manufacturing sector. The agenda emphasizes biodiversity preservation, pollution reduction, waste management, and self-regulation—principles that resonate with Good Briquette’s mission. Dr. Rubanda highlighted the potential for industrial partnerships, noting, “Collaborating with innovators like Good Briquette Initiative Ltd can transform how manufacturers access affordable, clean energy, enhancing productivity while protecting our environment.”
Sharing Best Practices for Eco-Friendly Manufacturing
A key highlight of the visit was the exchange of best practices in eco-friendly manufacturing and innovation. Good Briquette Initiative Ltd shared insights into its production process, which involves collecting, processing, and pressing agricultural waste into briquettes that burn longer and facilitate efficient transport. This low-tech, cost-effective approach minimizes environmental impact and creates economic opportunities, particularly for youth and women trained in briquette production. The company’s efforts have established an active network of briquette users, salespersons, and biomass waste suppliers in Kampala and surrounding areas, demonstrating a scalable model for sustainable energy.
UMA, representing over 1,300 member companies across sectors like agribusiness, food and beverages, and construction materials, showcased its initiatives to promote sustainability. For instance, UMA members like Jesa Farm Dairy have invested in wastewater treatment to ensure cleaner water returns to natural systems, while Nice House of Plastics collaborates with Coca-Cola Beverages Africa to recycle plastic waste into fabric fiber. These examples inspired discussions on how manufacturers can adopt circular economy practices and invest in green technologies to enhance resource efficiency.
The exchange also explored innovation in manufacturing processes. Good Briquette’s youth training programs, supported by initiatives like the Africa Youth Agro Industrialization Academy, have equipped young Ugandans to fabricate briquette machines, fostering entrepreneurship and job creation. UMA’s Access to Employment project, which has placed 50,000 students in internships, complements these efforts by bridging the skills gap in the manufacturing sector. Both parties agreed to explore joint training programs to scale up eco-friendly practices across UMA’s membership.
Advocating for Policy Growth to Drive Industrial Progress
The visit provided a platform to address sector challenges and advocate for policies that support sustainable industrial growth. Uganda’s manufacturing sector, contributing 15.4% to GDP and 22.62% to national tax revenue in FY 2021/2022, faces hurdles such as high energy costs, limited access to finance, and technology bottlenecks. Dr. Rubanda emphasized the need for policy interventions to incentivize green manufacturing, including tax exemptions for sustainable energy projects and increased investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
Good Briquette Initiative Ltd highlighted challenges in scaling production, such as limited funding and low production capacity, which restrict its ability to meet growing demand. The company’s Founding CEO, Siraje Kamugisha, has called for financial support to expand facilities and conduct research to enhance briquette quality. UMA pledged to lobby the government for targeted incentives, drawing on its successful advocacy for reduced power tariffs in industrial parks (5 US cents per kWh) and import substitution policies under the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) framework.
The discussions also aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan III, which prioritizes agro-led industrialization and value addition. Good Briquette’s model supports this agenda by transforming agricultural waste into a high-value energy product, reducing reliance on imported fuels and promoting local content. UMA and Good Briquette agreed to collaborate on policy proposals for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aiming to position Uganda’s sustainable energy products in the $21.9 billion continental market.
A Step Toward a Greener Future
The strategic visit concluded with a commitment to deepen the partnership between UMA and Good Briquette Initiative Ltd. A follow-up collaboration meeting was announced, with plans to develop a joint action plan for sustainable energy integration in manufacturing. UMA’s leadership expressed optimism about the partnership, with Dr. Rubanda stating, “This visit is a testament to UMA’s dedication to fostering innovation and sustainability. Together, we can build a manufacturing sector that is not only competitive but also environmentally responsible.”
Good Briquette Initiative Ltd, though not listed in the 2025 UMA Business Directory, exemplifies the innovative enterprises UMA seeks to support. Its alignment with green manufacturing principles positions it as a potential member, contributing to UMA’s vision of leading the industrial sector toward sustainable global competitiveness.
As Uganda navigates the challenges of industrialization in a climate-conscious era, collaborations like this one offer a blueprint for balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. By championing sustainable energy solutions, sharing best practices, and advocating for progressive policies, UMA and Good Briquette Initiative Ltd are paving the way for a greener, more prosperous future for Uganda’s manufacturing sector.
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