KAMPALA – Hon. Sanjay Tanna has officially taken over as Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, outlining an ambitious agenda centered on export promotion, industrialization, cooperative development and institutional efficiency to accelerate the country’s economic transformation.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on Friday, Tanna expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for entrusting him with the portfolio and pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessors. He commended former Minister Francis Mwebesa, the Ministers of State, the Permanent Secretary and ministry staff for their contributions to advancing Uganda’s trade and industrial development.
Tanna described the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives as a key driver of Uganda’s economic growth, highlighting its role in wealth creation, job generation and implementation of the government’s development agenda.
“This ministry is the engine of Uganda’s economy and the next frontier in the country’s economic transformation,” he said.
The new minister identified four strategic priorities for his tenure: promoting Made-in-Uganda products and exports through the Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU) policy; accelerating industrialization and job creation through value addition and support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); strengthening cooperatives and SACCOs as vehicles for grassroots wealth creation; and building a responsive, professional and corruption-free ministry.
Tanna also pledged to reduce bureaucracy, improve service delivery, leverage information and communication technology to enhance efficiency, and promote teamwork, integrity and professionalism within the ministry.
He called on all stakeholders to work together in advancing Uganda’s industrialization agenda, boosting trade competitiveness and achieving sustainable economic transformation.
Permanent Secretary Lynette B. Bagonza praised outgoing Minister Francis Mwebesa for his leadership and contribution to Uganda’s economic development during his tenure.
She welcomed Tanna to the ministry and expressed confidence in his ability to steer efforts aimed at enhancing trade competitiveness, industrialization, export diversification and private sector-led growth.
