KAMPALA – The Government of Uganda has called upon local companies involved in manufacturing and export trade to actively participate in its Investment for Industrial Transformation and Employment (INVITE) program, aimed at strengthening the country’s export sector.
The initiative seeks to support exporters in improving the quality of their products to meet international market standards, thereby enhancing Uganda’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Through the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), the government is implementing the Export Firm Support (EFS) program under the INVITE framework. The current third call of the program is backed by funding worth USD 40,000, targeting companies engaged in exporting goods.
This was highlighted during a training workshop organized by PSFU at Protea Hotel in Kampala, where business owners were equipped with knowledge and skills on how to benefit from the initiative and expand their export potential.
For years, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has emphasized the need to address Uganda’s trade imbalance, noting that the country imports more goods than it exports. He has repeatedly pointed out that increasing exports is critical for boosting national revenue and economic growth.
In response, the government in 2024 introduced the Export Firm Support program to assist Ugandan businesses with financial support and technical guidance to produce goods that meet global standards. So far, at least 113 companies have benefited from the first call phases of the program.
According to Daniel Kiseka, Component Manager of the Export Firm Support program, the initiative is funded by the Government of Uganda in partnership with the World Bank, and governments of England, Sweden, and the Netherlands. He noted that the program has significantly contributed to improving the quality and visibility of Ugandan products on international markets.
Kiseka further revealed that the program has now entered its third call phase, with additional funding expected to scale up support to more exporters.
Some beneficiaries, including Agnes Kitumba of Coco Agrifirms, Joseph Lukandwa of Uvani Limited, and Enid Natukunda Mugisha of Raw and Organic Investments Limited, commended the government for the initiative. They said the program has enhanced their ability to compete globally but urged authorities to address persistent challenges such as high taxes and operational costs.
The government hopes that increased participation in the INVITE program will help bridge the export gap, create jobs, and drive Uganda’s industrial transformation agenda.
