MBARARA, UGANDA reinforcing its commitment to fostering industrial growth across the nation, a team from the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) is currently on the ground in Mbarara City, engaging with the leadership of SILGAD Investment Ltd, the producers of Red Star Wine.

The visit to the Mbarara-Kakoba based enterprise is a key part of UMA’s strategy to connect directly with small-scale industries (SSIs) in regional hubs. The discussions are focused on understanding their unique operational challenges and exploring targeted, strategic support to foster growth, innovation, and sustainability within this vital segment of the economy.

This engagement highlights two core pillars of Uganda’s industrial development agenda: the decentralization of manufacturing beyond the central region and the critical importance of agro-processing.

Championing Regional Growth and Value Addition

By visiting a manufacturer in Mbarara, a key commercial and agricultural hub for Western Uganda, UMA is demonstrating its focus on building a nationally inclusive industrial sector. The success of regional enterprises is crucial for creating widespread employment and ensuring that economic development is not confined to Kampala.

SILGAD Investment Ltd serves as a prime example of the value addition model that is essential for Uganda’s economic transformation. As a winemaker, the company transforms local agricultural produce into a branded, finished product. This process creates significantly more value, jobs, and economic impact than exporting raw materials. For UMA, supporting such enterprises is key to realizing the national goal of agro-industrialization.

Tailoring Strategic Support for Small-Scale Industries

The dialogue between UMA and the Red Star Wine makers is exploring the specific forms of “strategic support” that can help small-scale industries to scale up and thrive. For many SSIs, the primary hurdles include:

• Navigating Regulatory Compliance: Achieving certification from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a critical step for market access, especially for food and beverage products. UMA provides guidance to help members navigate this process.
• Accessing Affordable Finance: Small-scale industries often struggle to meet the requirements for commercial loans. UMA works to link such businesses with development finance and provide training on becoming “investment-ready.”
• Market Linkages: Breaking into major retail chains and distribution networks can be challenging. UMA facilitates connections between producers and larger markets to enhance their reach.
• Advocacy on Sector-Specific Issues: Taking on the unique challenges faced by a specific sub-sector, such as the excise duty regime for local alcoholic beverages, and advocating for fairer policies at a national level.

UMA’s on-the-ground engagement with members like SILGAD Investment Ltd is more than a courtesy visit; it is a fundamental part of its advocacy process. The insights gathered directly inform the association’s policy positions and ensure that the voice of the small-scale manufacturer, from every region of the country, is clearly heard. This collaborative approach is vital for building a robust, diverse, and sustainable industrial sector for Uganda.