Former FDC President Dr. Kizza Besigye has highlighted the dire state of Uganda’s manufacturing sector, asserting that local manufacturers are merely assemblers, with only 5% of the country’s needs being met locally and even that being imported.
Besigye was addressing the country in regards to the traders strike which commenced last week.
Dr. Besigye pointed out the collapse of the cotton industry and the failure of government policies aimed at protecting local manufacturers, which he argued only benefited a few, such as Nytil, while others continued to rely on imported materials.
Furthermore, he lamented the plight of the tea industry, stating that lack of government support has left many in bankruptcy, despite its potential as a significant revenue earner for the country.
Dr. Besigye criticized Uganda’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that unlike other countries which provided substantial support to businesses, Uganda’s government failed to do so, despite ordering business closures during the pandemic.
