The Uganda Manufacturers Association recently held the third session of its Procurement and Stores Management training program, hosted at JMS Uganda on February 27.

The training brought together professionals responsible for procurement and inventory management across various organizations, with the session focusing on advancing participants’ understanding beyond foundational procurement practices.

Moving Beyond the Basics

During the session, participants explored strategies for strengthening procurement systems by focusing on value preservation, customer management, and governance. The discussions emphasized the importance of aligning procurement functions with broader organizational goals to ensure efficiency, accountability, and long-term value creation.

Facilitators highlighted how effective procurement and stores management plays a critical role in ensuring operational continuity, reducing waste, and maintaining transparency within organizations.

Key Insights and Takeaways

A central theme of the training was “measuring what matters.” Participants were encouraged to adopt performance indicators that provide meaningful insights into procurement efficiency, supplier performance, and inventory control.

The session also underscored the importance of strengthening supply chain flow, ensuring that procurement and storage processes are well coordinated to avoid delays, shortages, and unnecessary costs.

Building Professional Capacity in Supply Chain Management

Through initiatives like this training program, the Uganda Manufacturers Association continues to support capacity building among professionals in procurement and supply chain management. The program aims to equip participants with practical knowledge and tools that enhance operational efficiency and governance within their organizations.

The Procurement and Stores Management training is part of UMA’s broader commitment to strengthening industry skills and promoting best practices that contribute to improved productivity and competitiveness across sectors in Uganda.