January 10, 2023: The Private Sector Foundation Uganda called for the preservation of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) during the National Dialogue that was held at Serena Kigo, Kampala.  The call was made because of the pivotal role of UCDA’s influence as biggest foreign exchange earner in the Agricultural sector. It was felt that collapsing the institution under the Ministry of Agriculture would undermine the efforts and strides made by the institution in the coffee sector. The Chairman of the PSFU Advisory Council Hon Gerald Sendaula tasked the government to take advantage of African Regional trade modalities to support marketing value-added coffee for an inclusive, transformative, and sustainable coffee industry in Uganda.

During the diaologue, coffee stakeholders resolved to among other things, establish a coffee fund to promote investments and manage the sector against international market volatilities, and  review government of Uganda- Coffee Vinci Company clauses that are considered to be contrary to the current liberalized economy policies and distort existing trade arrangements.

The dialogue was also attended by the sector chair for Agriculture, Agribusiness, and Forestry Hon. Sekitoleko Victoria, PSFU CEO Mr. Stephen Asiimwe, the Coffee Specialist Mr. Aeden Kagwa, and the Sector Coordinator for Agriculture and Agribusiness and Forestry Mr. Martin Maku. Some of the attendees were among others Inspire Africa, New Café, and Star Café Savana Comodities.  

January 13, 2023 marked 10 years since the founding Chairman of Private Sector Foundation Uganda Dr. James Mulwana passed on. The current Chairman PSFU board Mr. Humphrey Nzeyi attended a Memorial Service of the Late Dr. James Mulwana that was held at his ancestral home in Masiliba, Kiboga District. The late Mulwana who is also the founding Chairman of the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) started PSFU in 1995 with an 11-member body. Now, after 28 years, PSFU has grown its membership to over 310 members.  He started his personal businesses such as the Nice House of Plastics which are still thriving.

Mulwana was commemorated as an entrepreneur and industrialist whose legacy still lives on. Mulwana was Chairman of PSFU from 1995-2008, and he was succeded by Hon Gerald Sendaula.

Also in attendance were Dr. Victoria Sekitoleko, Mrs. Ida Wanendeya, Dr. Robin Kibuka, Mrs. Lydia Obbo, Mr. Frank Katusime, and Mr.Francis Kisirinya.

PSFU advocates for  Fair Competition Law

January 16, 2023, The Chief Membership Officer, Private Sector Foundation Uganda, Mr. Kisirinya Francis led the team of PSFU members to a consultative meeting with a Parliamentary Committee on Tourism, Trade, and Industry to present the private sector position on Competition Bill, 2022 at Parliament, Kampala. Mr.Kisirinya challenged Members of Parliament to enact the law that will prevent anti-competitive business practices, abuse of market power, and anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions.

CEDP organizes stakeholder engagement with Tourism sector players and World Bank

Friday 26th January, Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP) held a stakeholder engagement with the World Bank and Tourism private sector players at the Kampala Serena Hotel.

The objective of the engagement was to identify challenges faced and for the private sector players to provide insight into interventions that will be most effective with regard to creating an enabling business environment.

The World Bank representatives reiterated the commitment to support the sector. They expressed appreciation for the feedback and shared that it will inform the development of more focused project interventions. The CEDP team were led by the project coordinator Mr. JohnMarie Kyewelabye during this engagement.

The GROW project aims to increase access to entrepreneurial services that enable female entrepreneurs to grow their enterprises in targeted locations, including host and refugee communities.

The project also aims to holistically tackle some of the structural barriers hindering the growth of women-owned businesses including financial inclusion, business development services, and mindset change to ensure the effective participation of women in the development process.

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) is proud to announce the second Annual “PSFU Women’s Katale”

This annual event, Women Katale Season, in honor of International Women’s Day, is organized by PSFU in collaboration with Mastercard’s Young Africa Works (YAW) initiative. It is slated for 10^th-11^th March 2023, Friday and Saturday, at the Uganda Manufacturers’ Association (UMA) Multi-purpose Hall, Kampla. This years’ Katale will be graced by the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, as Guest of Honor

The Women’s Day Katale is intended to recognize the contribution and potential of women and girls as entrepreneurs. It portrays the synergistic partnerships between private-sector key players and development partners like Mastercard Foundation in driving social impact and positive economic changes 

(L-R) Mr. Angella Bageine, PSFU Board Member representing the Small and Medium Enterprises, PSFU Chief Programmes and Projects Officer Ms.Damali Ssali, and Ms. Joan M. Nabukalu, Category Manager Hair at Movit Uganda on a panel discussion during the launch of Women’s Day Katale at the PSFU Secretariat on Monday 6^th 2023 in Kampala  

PSFU Staff organised a three-day retreat to discuss the 2022-2025 Strategic plan and performance review of all departments and projects in Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria Kalangala District

According to PSFU’s Director of Policy and Advocacy,  Dr Julius Byaruhanga, the  this retreat was an opportunity for capacity building of staff, but also a great way to reflect on how the organisation can consolidate its position as the apex body of Uganda’s private sector.

The Private Sector Foundation and Enabel Uganda- The Belgian Development Agency officials met with the first batch of employers to share and revive feedback on the progress of the Work Readiness Program under the Skills and Governance project at Fairway Hotel, Kampala. The project, among other things, seeks to address gaps in employability and productivity of young graduates from Universities not more than two years after their graduation, to be placed at various companies for at least six months as employees to gain workplace hands-on experience, and support transition to full employment.

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda has held a consultative engagement with different stakeholders in the private sector to discuss the adverse effects of illicit trade on the Ugandan economy at Kampala Serena Hotel

Mr. Issa Sekitto, a board member who had represented the Chairman board PSFU Mr. Humphrey Nzeyi,  said that manufacturers are among the most severely affected by illicit trade through brand erosion, loss of reputation, loss of sales, reduction of market share, closure of factories, and unfair competition

The PSFU illicit trade dialogue resolved to among other things establish a public-private sector-led technical working group that will guide policymakers on legal/policy framework to profile illicit products in the country and set out an enforcement framework including naming and shaming

The dialogue was attended by among others Uganda Breweries Limited, British American Tobacco, Movit, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, Uganda Revenue Authority, etc.