Trade ministry reflects on past five years in new publication
In a message to stakeholders, Minister Francis Mwebesa said the period was marked by significant progress in economic growth and livelihood improvement for Ugandans through the ministry’s policies aimed at boosting trade, investment and inclusive development
KAMPALA, May 15, 2026 — The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives [MTIC] has in its latest publication reflected on what it describes as a transformative journey between 2021 and 2025, highlighting major gains in trade, industrialisation and cooperative development under the leadership of the National Resistance Movement [NRM] government.
In a message to stakeholders, Minister Francis Mwebesa said the period was marked by significant progress in economic growth and livelihood improvement for Ugandans through the ministry’s policies aimed at boosting trade, investment and inclusive development.
“As we take a moment to reflect on the impressive journey from 2021 to 2025, I am filled with immense pride in the strides we have made,” Mwebesa noted, adding that the government’s focus on trade facilitation and export growth had strengthened the competitiveness of locally produced goods on regional and international markets.
According to the minister, the implementation of the National Trade Policy helped create a stronger framework for export promotion, while reforms aimed at reducing trade barriers and improving customs efficiency contributed to increased trade volumes and market access for Ugandan products.
The ministry also pointed to the rapid expansion of industrialisation efforts during the five-year period. New industrial parks established across the country attracted investment, stimulated job creation and promoted the growth of skilled labour.
Key sectors including agro-processing, textiles and manufacturing were cited as major beneficiaries of the government’s industrial agenda, positioning Uganda as an emerging regional industrial hub.
Mwebesa emphasised that the cooperative movement has become a central pillar of Uganda’s economic transformation strategy. Through targeted support and capacity-building programmes, thousands of cooperatives have reportedly been empowered to drive economic activity and improve livelihoods in their communities.
The minister further stressed the importance of inclusivity and sustainability in Uganda’s development agenda, noting that women and youth remain central to the country’s economic transformation efforts. Environmental sustainability, he said, has also guided industrial and trade policies to ensure economic growth does not come at the expense of natural resources.
Meanwhile, MTIC’s Permanent Secretary, Lynette B. Bagonza, described the 2021–2025 period as one characterised by transformative initiatives that strengthened local industries, enhanced export promotion and improved the business environment.
Bagonza stated that government investment in trade infrastructure and policy reforms had catalyzed growth across multiple sectors while creating employment opportunities and stimulating local economies.
She noted that cooperatives continue to play a vital role in promoting collective entrepreneurship, with capacity-building programmes and financial support helping many societies to thrive and improve household incomes.
She stated Uganda has experienced remarkable growth in the cooperative sector over the years. Official figures indicate that the number of registered cooperatives has risen from about 10,746 in 2011 to more than 47,220 by mid-2025.
The cooperative movement now boasts a membership exceeding 15 million people nationwide. Historical records further show that registered cooperative societies have expanded from 5,451 in 1986 to current levels, underscoring the sector’s growing importance in national development.
The ministry estimates that cooperatives contribute about 2.6 percent to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product [GDP] and provide employment opportunities to approximately 16 percent of the population.
Officials say the continued growth of cooperatives is expected to strengthen financial inclusion, expand community-based enterprise and accelerate Uganda’s broader economic transformation agenda in the years ahead.
https://thecooperator.news/trade-ministry-to-host-cooperative-clinic-in-greater-masaka-region/
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