PSFU and Government of Uganda to Recognise Uganda s Top 50 Brands

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2012. Francis Kisirinya Director Finance

Advisory Council Members, Private Sector

1 PSFU E-Newsletter AUGUST 2012 PSFU and Government of Uganda to Recognise Uganda s Top 50 Brands PSFU and the Government of Uganda will recognise Uganda s to 50 Brands and Companies at a Grand Finale scheduled to take place on 16 th August Francis Kisirinya Director Finance and Coordinator of the event says all is set for the event. He adds that over 350 participants have confirmed their participation including Government Officials, PSFU Board and Advisory Council Members, Private Sector Members, Nominated Companies and Brands and the media. The guest of honour is the Rt. Hon Amama Mbabazi Prime Minister of Uganda. For more information on how you can participate in this event contact fkisirinya@psfuganda.org.ug. Limited spaces left or go to Recognition of Uganda s Top 50 Brands; PSFU Holds Breakfast Meeting for Nominated Companies/Brands Nominated Companies/ Brands at a Breakfast meeting held at Fairway Hotel recently. On 9 th October, 2012, Uganda will celebrate 50 years of Independence from the British 1

2 Government. At the same time Uganda will reflect on the evolution, development, achievements and drawbacks of our country for the past 50 years and look forward to the future with a vision of transforming the country from a peasant society to a modern and prosperous country. To mark this important milestone, the Government of Uganda has organized year-long Jubilee Celebrations running under the tag Uganda 2012 a 50 Year Journey. The celebrations focus on the achievements during that period as a foundation for future progress and prosperity. Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) being the apex body of the private sector in Uganda was designated by the Government of Uganda to lead and involve the business community in the Celebrations. Recognizing the Top 50 Brands PSFU together with Government will reorganize Uganda s Top 50 Brands. The Top 50 Companies/Brands will be recognized for their service to Ugandans over the period. Over 100 Brands/ Companies were successfully nominated. On 3 rd August 2012, PSFU held a breakfast meeting with the various nominated companies/ brands to update them on the nomination process and also brief them about the upcoming Grand Finale. The Grand Finale will take place on 16 th August 2012 at Hotel Africana. In order to participate, companies/brands can obtain their invitation cards at a fee (i.e. for Individuals and Corporate Tables). For details go to MOH and PSFU organize a Food Processors Sensitization Workshop on Food Fortification Officials from Ministry of Health, UNBS, URA, PSFU and Doctors at the food processors Consultative meeting on Food Fortification PSFU in partnership with the Ministry of Health with support from Global Alliance for Food Fortification (GAIN) organized a consultative workshop with food processors with a main focus on sensitizing and creating awareness and collecting stakeholders views on establishing a framework and implementation mechanism for compliance of industries towards the Mandatory regulation gazetted in October The Regulation translates into mandatory fortification of maize flour, wheat flour and vegetable oil. The workshop took place on Tuesday 7 th August 2012 at Silver Spring Hotel, Bugolobi. In the photo is Daniel Kisekka Manager BUDS-DFID making a presentation about BUDS-DFID at the workshop. The Workshop was also attended by food processors from various districts in Uganda including Northern Uganda. 2

3 PSFU holds Sensitisation and Awareness meetings for the BUDS-DFID Project in Teso and Lango Sub-Region 3 Participants at the sensitisation workshop on BUDS-DFID in Lira recently Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) has strengthened its sensitization and awareness campaign for BUDS-DFID in the PRDP Region. Having kicked off the campaign with the Teso Sub Region, PSFU has also had a full week of activities in the Lango Sub Region in the week of 16 th -20 th July PSFU has traversed in various districts of Lango including; Apac, Dokolo, Kole, Lira, Oyam, Otuke, Alebtong and Lira Municipality where meetings have been held with various district officials, potential clients and development partners. In Teso sub region, the following districts; Soroti, Kumi, Bukedea, Kaberamaido, Serere, and Ngora were visited. A number of activities took place including; workshops, radio programs, press conferences, one on one sessions with potential clients, handholding to various potential clients and presentations to various groups/associations like Northern Uganda Manufactures Association, meetings with district officials, commercial officers and visits to potential and already supported clients. For details go to and click on BUDS-DFID Uganda to host COMESA Summit in October 2012 The COMESA Summit will be hosted in Kampala in October this year from 29 TH SEPTEMBER 11 OCTOBER As part of the side events, the COMESA BUSINESS COUNCIL (CBC) organises a series of events including discussions on key topical issues affecting the 19 partner states. PSFU is the focal point of the CBC in Uganda it will host the COMESA Business Forum from 6-7th October The theme for the meeting is HARNESSING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT Meetings planned st Administrative and Budgetary Matters Committee: September st Intergovernmental Committee: 1-3 October st Council of Ministers: 5-6 October 4. 8 th COMESA Business Forum: 6-7 October th Ministers of Foreign Affairs: 7 October 6. Jubilee Celebration: 9 October th Summit of the Authority: October 8. 7 th First Ladies Roundtable: 10 October Meeting to discuss Business Entry Regulation and Cross Border Exchange of Information in the EAC Arusha - Tanzania On June 21 st, 2012 PSFU joined various stakeholders from the 5 EAC partner states in Arusha to discuss business entry regulation and cross border exchange of information in the EAC. The meeting was hosted by IFC/World Bank, presided over by the Deputy Secretary General of EAC, Dr Enos Bukuku and attended by among others EA private

4 Sector Apex Bodies including the EABC, Representatives from Justice Ministries and Business Registries from EAC. PSFU was represented by the Executive Director. The meeting which was coordinated by the Investment Climate Program of the Bank, discussed modalities to facilitate business start-ups and registration as well as improve and strengthen coordination amongst Business registries within the EAC. The Challenge addressed 1. Most national Business Registries across EAC do not enable easy access to cross border demands for company information 2. There is no EAC wide legal obligation for national registers to exchange information on EAC companies that are locally registered which creates loopholes in cross border investments. 3. There is no infrastructure to allow for EAC wide search and access to registry database (on information such as name, legal form, registered office, member state, shareholders, etc) Some Key Recommendations from the meeting Develop online EAC platform to network national registries and enable Public access to Company information Enable Government to Government coordination, Streamline and Harmonize Business Start-ups to match Best Practice across the region Allow Registration of limited liability companies in any EAC member state to be valid across the entire EAC Way forward Individual Partner states, coordinated by the EAC secretariat are expected to implement the desired reforms. Individual Private Sector Apex Bodies such as PSFU are expected to follow up with the respective Justice Ministries and Business registries to ensure these reforms are undertaken by each partner state. EABC shall coordinate all legal reforms at the regional level. PSFU, Centenary Bank and abi Trust Train SMEs in Financial Literacy Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Centenary Bank together with abi Trust have trained Members of the Private Sector and members of Centenary Bank in Financial Literacy. In Gulu, 231 participants were trained, 308 were trained in Kapchorwa, 278 in Kasese and 350 Tororo. The purpose is geared at improving the financial literacy knowledge of bank customers and the business community. Participants attending training in Financial Literacy In addition, a number of radio and TV programs on a number of radios and TVs have been organised on the following among others; Akaboozi, Mega FM in Gulu, Bukedde FM and Bukedde TV where the business community and the general public have an opportunity to be trained in Financial Literacy. 4

PSFU Organises Capacity Building session for Northern Uganda Manufacturers Association (NUMA) PSFU organized a retreat for the members of the Northern Uganda Manufacturers Association (NUMA).

The training was supported the Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) through the Uganda Country Capacity Building Programme (UCCBF).

5 PSFU Organises Capacity Building session for Northern Uganda Manufacturers Association (NUMA) PSFU organized a retreat for the members of the Northern Uganda Manufacturers Association (NUMA). The objective of the retreat was to rejuvenate the association. The training was supported the Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) through the Uganda Country Capacity Building Programme (UCCBF). 32 Members were trained and they were from the following districts; Lira, Gulu, Soroti, Nebbi, Apac, Arua and Zombo. The training took place at St. Peters Cathedral in Soroti. Members in addition were also sensitized about the BUDS-DFID project where they have an opportunity to benefit from the project. Handholding was also done for the potential clients for BUDS-DFID. PSFU Holds International Trade Facilitation Expo PSFU organised the International Trade Facilitation Expo which took place from July 2012 at UMA Main Exhibition Hall Lugogo. The expo was officially opened by Hon. Amelia Kyambadde Minister of Trade and Cooperatives. She called on the Private Sector to work closely with the Government to improve the business environment in Uganda. Hon Kyambadde also had a two hour discussion with the Business Community who requested for Government support for the competitiveness of the Private Sector. This year s theme was Enhancing Uganda s Competitiveness in Domestic, Regional and International Markets. PSFU would like to thank some of the key patners for the event who included; Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Rwenzori Commodities, EPATAPSS, RoofIngs Group, Shumuk, Kenya Ports Authority, Centenary Bank, Orient Bank, Housing Finance Bank, Pride Micro Finance and others. For details go to PSFU Holds Sector Meetings Members attending the sector meetings The National Budget for FY 2012/13 came with quite various changes that affect the Private Sector both directly and indirectly. As private sector, we must urge the Government to improve on the business environment and reduce the cost of doing business. An efficient and transparent public sector facilitates the Private Sector to create jobs, support forward and backward industrial linkages and ultimately leads to faster economic transformation. The purpose of the meetings is to discuss and come up with sector positions and recommendations for considerations in the Presidential 5

Economic Council (PEC). The sectors include; Agriculture; Trade Commerce and Tourism; Skills Health and Services; Banking and Finance; Manufacturing; Oil and gas; and ICT, Energy and Engineering.

Corporate Communication Coordinator Hima Cement Uganda. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss private sector environment and policy issues.

6 Economic Council (PEC). The sectors include; Agriculture; Trade Commerce and Tourism; Skills Health and Services; Banking and Finance; Manufacturing; Oil and gas; and ICT, Energy and Engineering. PSFU Meets Hima Cement Francis Kisirinya Director Finance, Moses Ogwal Director Policy having a meeting with Ms Susan Maingi Corporate Communications Director Bamburi Cement Kenya and Grace Nakalo Corporate Communication Coordinator Hima Cement Uganda. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss private sector environment and policy issues. PSFU EADD/Heifer organize Governance and Business Skills Training Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), and the East African Dairy Development project together with Heifer have trained members of dairy cooperative societies in governance and business skills. The training began with the board/executive committee members of different cooperatives in four clusters which are Mukono where 14 dairy cooperatives were trained, Masaka 10 dairy cooperatives, Kiboga 16 dairy cooperatives and Masindi 9 dairy cooperatives. We later trained the audit/supervisory committee members of each of these cooperatives in Mukono with 150 participants and then 70 extension workers were trained in Mukono. The purpose is geared at improving the governance and operational skills of members of the dairy cooperatives. PSFU organizes Private Sector Health Common Fund (PSHCF) Charity Golf Tournament The PSHCF Charity Golf Tournament 2012 was organized on 20 th July 2012 at Uganda Golf Club. This is the first of a series of fundraising activities for the Fund. This golf Tournament attracted over 100 participants from professional golfers like Namakula Flavia to amateur golfers. The Chief Guest was Dr. Myers Lugemwa who represented the Minister of Health Dr. Christine Ondoa. All proceeds realized were directed towards building the Fund s capacity to respond to pressing health challenges that threaten productivity. These include malaria amongst children under five years and pregnant women, addressing sanitation and hygiene in homesteads, epidemics and others. For details about Private Sector Health Common Fund go to and click on the link Private Sector Health Common Fund 6

7 UPCOMING: 1. Recognition of Uganda s Top 50 Brands on 16 th August 2012 at Hotel Africana 2. BUDS-DFID sensitisation and awareness campaign for the following sub-regions; Karamoja, West Nile, Bukedi, Acholi and Elgon. 3. COMESA Summit 29 th September to 11 th October COMESA Business Forum from 6-7th October For comments and details contact Sarah N. Bakehena, Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Plot 43, Nakasero Hill Road, Tel:[+256] , , , Fax [+ 256] P.O Box 7683 Kampala, Uganda psfu@psfuganda.org.ug, Website: snakibuuka@psfuganda.org.ug You can pick a copy of the 2012 business directory from PSFU. To advertise or list your company in the 2013 issue contact snakibuuka@psfu ganda.org.ug or call

BUDS-DFID PRIVATE SECTOR FOUNDATION UGANDA. Your Partner in Private Sector Led Development

BUDS-DFID PRIVATE SECTOR FOUNDATION UGANDA Your Partner in Private Sector Led Development 2 Before After SOUTH BASE INDUSTRIES BUTALEJA; received 12 new ginning machines with support from BUDS - DFID.