Ugandans challenged on enterprise growth

Kampala. Ugandans must change the way they perceive enterprise development if they are to build sustainable businesses, according to Mr Gordon Bafaki, the Member of Parliament for Kazo Constituency.
Speaking during a one-week entrepreneurship and business development skills training in Rushere, Kiruhura District, Mr Bafaki said it was disheartening to see many Ugandans fail to upgrade to progressive business practices to sustainably grow the country’s economy.
“People need to change the way they perceive enterprise development. Poverty is a mindset, that is why we need to allocate more resources in propagating the message of positive mindset change across the country,” he said, adding that government must supports stakeholders involved in enterprise development.
The failure to change business mindset, Mr Bafaki said, was a retrogressive force against Uganda’s development targets that seek to industrialise the country.
Ankole for instance, he said, is a food hub for items such as matooke, cattle and milk, however, these have largely remained at substance without progressing to other levels such as agro-processing.
President Museveni has over the years urged Ugandans, especially those in the agricultural sector, to upgrade to agribusiness as a way of creating jobs and lifting themselves out of poverty.
Data from Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicate that more than 10 million Ugandans live in poverty.
The training, which was hosted by Mr Bafaki and supported by Enterprise Uganda, is part of the larger campaign to build business innovations as well as establishing sustainable businesses practices.
Mr Charles Ocici, the Enterprise Uganda executive director, said it was wrong for Ugandans to wait for handouts, urging youth to innovate if they are to build sustainable businesses.
“At least let someone extend the handout towards an income generating enterprises,” he said, adding that there is need for youth to train on how to handle money.