Covid-19 has boosted local production - Kyambadde

The Buy Uganda Build Uganda has registered growth due to Covid-19, according to Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde.

Speaking during the Consumer Choice Awards in Kampala, Ms Kyambadde said local producers sustained supply, especially during the April-June 2020 lockdown, thus boosting capacity of local production.  

“We would have not survived the lockdown without locally manufactured goods. All supermarkets had BUBU products,” she said, noting that the private sector had soldiered on despite challenges presented by Covid 19.

Businesses across the world have struggled due to Covid-19 disruptions that have ravaged the world since January last year.

Ms Kyambadde also said government had made policies to support cross border trade among regional blocs such as EAC, Comesa and African Continental Free Trade Area.

Government, she said, had also put in place some relief measures such as low interest credit from Uganda Development Bank as well as waiving certain aspects such as pre-import verification certificate requirements.

However, many businesses have said they have not shared into government relief programmes, many of which target large producers and businesses.

Last Wednesday, 69 companies, were awarded during the Consumer Choice Awards for sustaining productivity and quality.

Mr Bari Salim, the Consumer Choice Magazine chief executive officer, said the  initiative seeks to provide consumers with information for them to make informed decisions.

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