Govt probes rot in Chamber of Commerce

Kampala.

Government has instituted an interim committee to probe the rot in the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI).

This also means that the election of the chamber leaders which was due on December 9 has been halted.

Addressing the media in Kampala on Wednesday, the minister of Trade Amelia Kyambadde, said: “I have received a number of concerns from different stakeholders on operations of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry including a petition on the forthcoming elections. Similar concerns on the forthcoming election have also been received by His Excellency the President.”

She added that as a line ministry responsible for Trade, the National Trade Policy charges her with a responsibility of creating and ensuring an enabling and conducive trade Policy and regulatory environment for Business growth and competitiveness.

In line with this mandate, Ms Kyambadde said on Tuesday, convened a meeting of all stakeholders including executive members of the Chamber, representatives of business community and relevant government agencies in order to review their concerns with respect to the forthcoming elections of the Chamber.

She said: “During this meeting, members raised issues on the election process including; gaps in the Constitution, the number of delegates to represent the various districts, the legitimacy of the current Chamber executive to organise the elections and security concerns among others.”

Ms Kyambadde added that after that discussion with the stakeholders agreed to postpone the date of the elections until the identified gaps are addressed.

They also agreed to form an Interim Committee comprising of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Trade and representatives of; Attorney General and Solicitor General, Chamber of Commerce, Uganda Registration Services Bureau, Private Sector/ Business Community and Electoral Commission.
Earlier on, Mr Andrew Rugasira had expressed interest to contest as the Chamber president when he launched his manifesto and campaigns for the top job.

On Monday, Ms Amina Hersi, the proprietor of Oasis Mall, expressed interest to bid for the Chamber top job.

Interim-committee
The interim committee’s responsibility will be to appraise the constitution, develop the voter’s register of the delegates and constitute a committee to organise and conduct free, transparent and fair elections.