KAMPALA, September 14, 2025 – The Government, through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives [MTIC], recently handed over motorcycles to District Commercial Officers in a bid to enhance service delivery and support key development programmes, including the Parish Development Model [PDM] and Emyooga.
The handover ceremony took place at Simba Automotives Factory in Kyambogo, Kampala, and was officiated by the State Minister for Trade [Cooperatives] Frederick Gume. The event was attended by representatives from key government bodies, including the Parliamentary Committees on Tourism, Trade, and Budget; the Ministry of Local Government; Uganda Local Government Association; and executives from Simba Automotives.
In his opening remarks, Gume emphasised the critical role Commercial Officers play as frontline service providers for MTIC at the local government level. He noted that the motorcycles, procured through the Ministry, will significantly improve the capacity of these officers to implement government programmes more effectively.
“Each district and city will receive one high-quality motorcycle to aid in cooperative mobilisation, trade information dissemination, market research, innovation promotion, and capacity building for cooperatives,” the minister stated.
He added that the motorcycles were designed with durability in mind and were not the typical boda-boda type, assuring stakeholders of their long lifespan if properly maintained.
The move aligns with the Government’s broader strategy for the 2024/25 financial year [FY], which prioritises the effective implementation of the Parish Development Model.
Gume stressed that empowering Commercial Officers with transport means and other tools is essential to achieving the ambitious targets set under Uganda’s Vision 2040, which includes increasing GDP tenfold from US$ 50 billion to US$ 500 billion.
The Minister further highlighted the evolution of the Trade, Industry and Local Economic Development [TILED] Department, which was created in 2019 to strengthen the Ministry’s mandate at the grassroots level. He recalled a 2008 study which revealed significant challenges in the performance and resourcing of District Commercial Offices, including a lack of financial support, limited skills, and minimal recognition in district development planning.
Since then, the Ministry has undertaken several initiatives to address these gaps. These include the establishment of a Conditional Grant in FY 2010/11, and the District Commercial Services Support Project in 2012. Funding has also seen a major boost, increasing from Shs 2.23 billion in FY 2019/20 to Shs 8.87 billion in the current financial year. As a result, allocations to individual districts have nearly quadrupled, with each receiving around Shs 40 million, 7 percent of which is earmarked for motorcycle maintenance.
“We recognise the funding constraints facing local governments. Therefore, we are working towards equipping every Commercial Officer with a laptop and office furniture to enable effective data collection and service delivery,” Gume said.
He urged all local governments to prioritise the recruitment of Commercial Officers, particularly in districts where the positions remain vacant due to wage limitations.
As he officially commissioned the motorcycles, the Minister issued a stern warning against misuse, emphasising that the motorcycles must not be found in drinking places or ridden by unauthorised individuals.
“These motorcycles are meant to fight poverty, not fuel indiscipline,” he cautioned.
Gume concluded by expressing his gratitude to Simba Automotives for manufacturing the motorcycles locally, applauding the company as a testament to the success of Uganda’s industrialisation efforts.
“This Ugandan-made motorcycle is a reflection of what we can achieve through the NRM Government’s commitment to industrial development. More is yet to come,” he said.
The ceremony marked a key milestone in strengthening Uganda’s commercial extension services and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusive growth and poverty alleviation across the country.
Several DCOs commended government for providing the motorcycles saying they will help them to monitor government programmes effectively.
“We appreciate for this support which will ease our mobility and enhance our visibility in our local governments,” said Joseph Ssemakula, Commercial Officer, Mityana Municipality.
“We appreciate for easing the mobility of our commercial officers. “We pray that moving forward the Heads of Commercial Divisions will be provided with vehicles,” said Atama Gabriel, CAO Tororo district and Chairperson of Chief Administrative Officers of Uganda.
Local government service delivery in Uganda shows improving, but still below ideal, performance, with average scores in the Local Government Management of Service Delivery [LGMSD] assessment increasing to 57 percent in 2023. This improvement is driven by focused efforts on minimum conditions like staffing and capacity building.
However, challenges persist, including understaffing, poor infrastructure, underfunding, and difficulties in resource accountability, particularly in rural areas. While decentralization was intended to improve services, it has led to reduced local government revenue bases and diminished service quality in key areas like health, education, and water.
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