KAMPALA – Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Minister Sanjay Tanna has challenged Ugandan businesses to abandon guesswork and embrace research and data-driven decision-making, saying evidence-based planning is essential for sustainable growth and industrial competitiveness.
Speaking during a high-level engagement with the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) board, management and members at the association’s headquarters in Lugogo on July 9, the minister said many local enterprises continue to make critical investment decisions without adequate market intelligence.
“No business can grow without research. The problem with most Ugandan businesses is we speculate and we do not base our decisions on research. We need this kind of data to take decisions and understand the sector better,” Tanna said.
The minister described the collection and management of reliable data as one of his ministry’s immediate priorities, revealing that efforts are underway to digitise government databases to support evidence-based policymaking and improve service delivery.
He said stronger data systems would enable government and the private sector to make informed decisions, identify industry trends and develop policies that respond to the realities facing manufacturers.
The meeting formed part of the ministry’s ongoing consultations with key industry players aimed at strengthening collaboration in implementing Uganda’s industrialisation agenda.
During the engagement, UMA members presented several policy concerns, including calls for a review of the Employment Act—particularly provisions on severance pay—high excise duties, multiple taxes, and the Uganda Revenue Authority’s requirement that taxpayers deposit 30 per cent of disputed tax assessments before lodging appeals with the Tax Appeals Tribunal.
Tanna assured manufacturers that the ministry would engage relevant government agencies to examine the concerns through structured dialogue backed by credible data.
Private Sector Experience
Appointed Trade Minister in mid-2026, Tanna brings extensive private sector experience to the docket, having built a successful business career before serving as Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality.
His appointment has been widely viewed as an opportunity to strengthen government engagement with the business community as Uganda seeks to accelerate industrialisation, expand exports and create jobs through initiatives such as Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU).
Since assuming office, the minister has consistently advocated stronger partnerships between government and industry, increased value addition, technology transfer and revitalised cooperatives as key drivers of economic growth.
Why Data Matters
Economists argue that stronger research and data systems could significantly improve Uganda’s investment climate by providing businesses with reliable market intelligence, reducing investment risks and enabling government to formulate more targeted industrial policies.
The renewed emphasis on evidence-based planning comes as Uganda pushes to increase local manufacturing, strengthen value chains and reduce dependence on imported goods, particularly in agro-processing and other strategic sectors.
The ministry’s engagement with manufacturers signals a shift towards closer collaboration with industry players as government seeks practical solutions to the challenges constraining the country’s manufacturing sector.
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