Minister Babalanda Urges Ugandans to Prioritize Local Products

Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, has made a strong appeal to Ugandans to actively choose locally manufactured products. She stressed that boosting domestic demand is crucial for the sustained growth of the nation’s industrial sector and for generating employment opportunities.

Babalanda’s remarks were made after touring Rosefoam Mattress Manufacturers in Mukono, an assessment visit linked to the government’s monitoring of the NRM’s industrialization agenda. She emphasized that the success of local manufacturers should be evaluated not only by their output but also by their contribution to job creation, skill development, and overall economic empowerment for Ugandans.

Commending Rosefoam, Babalanda described the company as a prime example of how domestic manufacturing can significantly contribute to import substitution and Uganda’s industrial advancement. “Every mattress made is a job saved for a Ugandan youth, skills transferred to our people, and money staying in Uganda instead of importing,” she stated.

The minister noted that Rosefoam directly employs approximately 700 Ugandans and indirectly supports thousands more through its extensive supply chain. She highlighted the company’s growth from a small enterprise to a regional player as evidence of the potential of local businesses when supported by a conducive investment climate.

Babalanda attributed the progress of local industries to governmental efforts in infrastructure development and other supportive measures. These include ensuring peace and security, improving road networks, providing reliable electricity, establishing industrial parks, and offering incentives to local investors.

Her visit to Rosefoam was part of a broader initiative to assess the implementation of government commitments outlined in the NRM Manifesto for 2021-2026 and the upcoming 2026-2031 program. She urged Ugandans to embrace the “Buy Uganda Build Uganda” (BUBU) policy by opting for domestically produced goods over imports that can be manufactured locally. Increased demand for local goods, she explained, would enable manufacturers to scale up production, create more jobs, and keep more capital circulating within the Ugandan economy.

These statements come as the government continues its push for industrialization and value addition as key strategies for economic transformation, aiming to reduce reliance on imports and boost employment. The government pledges to continue monitoring industrial projects to ensure its policies yield tangible economic benefits for its citizens. https://nilepost.co.ug/news/367277/babalanda-calls-for-greater-support-for-local-manufacturers