Uganda
Being endowed with significant natural resources, the economy of Uganda has great potential
Due to its ample fertile land, its regular rainfall and mineral deposits, Uganda appeared poised for rapid economic growth and development. However, a record of persistent economic decline has left Uganda among the world's poorest and least-developed countries. The national energy needs have historically been more than domestic energy generation, though large petroleum reserves have been found in the west. Uganda's main industries comprise sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement, as well as steel production.
Under the Integrated Programme Phase II, UNIDO projects are under way.
The main projects are:
- Multi-skills training and community service facilities for sustainable livelihoods and poverty alleviation - reintegration of ex-combatants and former rebels
- Agro-processing and private sector development, IP Phase II
- Women's Master Craftsman Programme with focus on Agro-MSMES
The objective of the Integrated Programme is to strengthen the competitiveness of selected agro-industries relying entirely or partly on local raw materials and to establish business partnerships and linkages with a network of commercial post-harvest operations.
Programme Components
Component I: Strengthen the capacity of the agro-processing support framework and develop the human resources required
This component focuses on strengthening the Department of Industry and Technology of the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry (MTTI), as well as
strengthening the SPS and TBT infrastructure with focus on food safety/quality and clean technology. It further aims at building productive capacities for market access, and at building the national capacity on rural energy, energy saving and management, with emphasis and application on agro-industries.
Component II: Strengthen the capacity of micro and small- scale entrepreneurs focusing on rural areas and women
This component covers the establishment/strengthening of 82 post-harvest commercial operations in order to function as food processing pilot centres, the promotion of farm tools and small-scale food processing equipment design and fabrication. It further comprises the strengthening of the Textile Development Agency (TEXDA) to establish business oriented-operations and implementation of an outreach programme in textile technologies to make the sector increasingly competitive.
Component III: Promote business partnership and market networking between local and foreign entrepreneurs
This component addresses the promotion of business partnerships and linkages which will help to integrate the national agro-processing value chain into regional and international supply chains. In particular, the programme will ensure joint ownership of the programme on the part of each partner, promote Good Trade Practices in the agro-processing and retailing industry, as well as promote the transfer of technology and know-how through strengthened business partnerships and linkages.
