Uganda is stepping up its industrialisation drive as the government seeks to grow the economy to US$500 billion under the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, with the manufacturing sector emerging as a major driver of economic expansion, employment and export growth.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Sanjay Tanna, said Uganda's industrial sector has expanded from just 81 industries in 1986 to more than 12,000 formal manufacturing industries, employing over 1.8 million people.

Speaking during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre on Wednesday, Tanna said the industrial sector recorded annual growth of 6.4% and contributed 24.9% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025.

The minister was announcing preparations for the National Industrialisation Conference 2026, which is expected to bring together government officials, investors, manufacturers, researchers and other stakeholders to discuss opportunities for accelerating Uganda's industrial transformation.

According to Tanna, the industrial sector currently accounts for 33% of total tax revenue collected by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), highlighting its growing contribution to government revenue and national development.

Uganda's export performance has also improved significantly, with exports of goods and services increasing by 204%, from US$5.93 billion in 2022 to US$18.04 billion in 2026. The growth has been supported by exports of gold, coffee, cocoa, sugar, fish and manufactured products.

Tanna said Uganda has also made progress in domestic manufacturing, becoming a net exporter of several products it previously imported. These include soap, sugar, milk, salt, cooking oil, cement, steel and paper.

The developments reflect the government's efforts to strengthen local production, promote value addition and reduce dependence on imported manufactured goods.

Uganda's industrialisation programme is further supported by the development of industrial parks across the country. Of the 22 planned industrial parks, eight are currently operational, attracting US$5.8 billion in domestic and foreign investments and creating more than 163,010 jobs.

To strengthen access to long-term financing for manufacturers, the government is also supporting the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) and Uganda Development Bank (UDB).

UDC has a capitalisation target of UGX 5 trillion within five years, while UDB has accumulated approximately UGX 1.6 trillion in capital. The institutions are expected to play an important role in financing industrial projects and supporting the growth of local enterprises.

The minister also highlighted the importance of regional and continental markets in expanding opportunities for Ugandan manufacturers.

Through membership in the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Uganda has access to wider markets for its manufactured products.

The AfCFTA provides access to a continental market of approximately 1.4 billion people, creating opportunities for businesses to expand exports, attract investment and participate in regional and international value chains.

The media briefing officially launched preparations for the National Industrialisation Conference 2026, scheduled for November 18–20 at Speke Resort in Munyonyo, Kampala, under the theme "Celebrating Uganda's Industrial Growth."

The conference will focus on investment opportunities, domestic manufacturing, value addition and sustainable industrial development.

It will also coincide with the commemoration of Africa Industrialisation Day on November 20 and mark 10 years since the re-establishment of the Uganda Development Corporation in 2016.

Speaking at the launch, UDC Executive Director Dr Patrick B. Birungi said the corporation had invested in 28 companies over the past decade, creating more than 5,799 direct jobs and several thousand indirect employment opportunities.

He said UDC-supported enterprises collectively purchase more than 35,000 tonnes of agricultural produce annually, providing approximately UGX 138.45 billion to farmers and local suppliers.

The enterprises also generate US$14.22 million in export earnings and contribute more than UGX 30 billion in taxes to the government.

Birungi said the corporation intends to move Uganda's industrialisation agenda beyond policy discussions towards practical investments, business partnerships, financing and improved market access.

As part of activities leading up to the conference, the government will showcase selected industrial investment projects through groundbreaking and commissioning ceremonies.

These include the groundbreaking of Pamoja Packaging and Industrial Solutions Limited in Mukono on November 5, the commissioning of Bukona Fuel Blending Limited in Malaba on November 6, and the commissioning of a production line at East African Medical Vitals Limited in Namanve on November 10.

The government has called on the private sector and wider business community to participate in the conference and explore investment opportunities that can strengthen local manufacturing, create employment and support Uganda's ambition of becoming a US$500 billion economy.