8th Uganda Economic Growth Forum
Past Evenf • Serena Hotel, Kampala, Uganda From 29 Aug 2024 at 08:00 to 30 Aug 2024 at 13:30
For more information about the conference, please email uganda@theigc.org
8th Uganda Economic Growth Forum
Past Evenf • Serena Hotel, Kampala, Uganda From 29 Aug 2024 at 08:00 to 30 Aug 2024 at 13:30
File Photo/Courtesy: Finance PS Ramathan Ggoobi, |
File Photo/Courtesy: PSST Ramathan Ggoobi delivering his keynote address at the Post-Budget Dialogue. |
softpower.ug, June 15, 2024 | The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, has outlined significant opportunities in the UGX 72 trillion budget for the financial year 2024/25. He urged private sector players to seize these opportunities.
Delivering a keynote speech at the 2024 Post Budget Dialogue organized by Absa Bank Uganda in collaboration with Deloitte and other partners at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Ggoobi said, “In the next financial year, we have allocated funds for wealth creation initiatives, commercial agriculture, and value addition. The Parish Development Model aims to bring more people into the money economy. We have capitalized UDB to provide patient, low-cost capital to support enterprises. There are funds available through Emyooga and the Agriculture Credit Facility (ACF), totaling UGX 2.64 trillion,” he stated.
Ggoobi added, “We have also allocated funds for skilling the youth and supporting small-scale businesses. We are working with the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda to ensure that women-owned businesses mature into formal enterprises.”
He emphasized that the private sector, including banks, needs to align with key budget themes such as agro-industrialization, mineral development, and tourism.
Regarding budget priorities for the financial year 2024/25, Ggoobi highlighted investing in the people of Uganda through education, health, water, and sanitation, with a budgetary allocation of UGX 10.2 trillion. Other priorities include peace and security (UGX 9.1 trillion) and infrastructure maintenance (UGX 5 trillion).
Absa Bank Uganda Managing Director Mumba Kalifungwa noted that the Financial Year 2024/25 National Budget represents a crucial milestone in Uganda’s economic development, setting the tone for fiscal policy and outlining the government’s revenue and expenditure priorities for the coming year.
“I commend the government for its commitment to driving economic growth and fostering an environment that supports sustainable development. The 2024/25 National Budget outlines several key areas that will significantly contribute to our nation’s progress,” he said.
Kalifungwa added, “Our economy has remained resilient and is projected to grow at 6%, despite a slowdown in quarter-on-quarter growth. Globally, uncertainty remains due to the impact of geopolitics, international commodity prices, weaker global growth, global inflation, and monetary policy responses on our economy.”
Allan Ssenyondwa, the Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), stated that while the government’s priorities for the next financial year are good, there is a need to move from the macro to the micro level.
File Photo/Courtesy: PSST Ramathan Ggoobi shakes hands with PSFU’s Sarah Kagingo as Absa’s Mumba Kalifungwa looks on. |
Ggoobi stated that the primary source of revenue to finance the Financial Year 2024/25 National Budget is domestic revenue (both tax and non-tax) at UGX 32 trillion. Other sources include budget support at UGX 1.4 trillion, domestic borrowing at UGX 9 trillion, petroleum funds, and local government revenues amounting to UGX 294 billion.
Sarah Chelangat, the Commissioner of Domestic Taxes at the Uganda Revenue Authority, explained that for the last three years, the government has not introduced new taxes but has focused on improving tax administration, a practice that will continue in the financial year 2024/25.
File Photo/Courtesy : Attorney General Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka |
Courtesy/File Photo: (R-L): Sarah Kagingo, Vice Chairperson of PSFU (1St – right), Humphry Nzeyi, Chief Guest (2nd- Right) pose for a group photo with Uganda Baati team let by Ian Rumanyika (3rd- Left) and the rest of the guests |
softpower.ug, December 10, 2023 | Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) has signed a transformative memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Uganda Baati Limited under Uganda Baati Safal Foundation, marking the commencement of the tree-planting initiative.
This agreement was signed during the PSFU’s 27th Annual General Meeting at Kampala Serena Hotel and first award gala on December 6, 2023.
It emphasizes a shared commitment to strengthening resilience against climate change and environmental risks while jointly spearheading conservation efforts within an adaptive business ecosystem.
The MOU’s primary goal is to establish a robust framework for collaborative action, focusing specifically on an expansive tree-planting initiative. This transformative will endeavour to not only offset the impacts of climate change but also to cultivate a sustainable environment conducive to thriving business practices.
Ian Rumanyika, Head of External & Corporate Affairs at Uganda Baati, expressed his appreciation for this significant partnership, affirming, “This collaboration with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda signifies our promise to forging a sustainable future. Uganda Baati has a background of nurturing various forest reserves nationwide. Through our extensive experience and unwavering dedication, this tree-planting exercise underscores our ongoing efforts to create a positive environmental impact while fostering a business environment that ensures prosperity for future generations.”
Courtesy/File Photo: (R-L) Humphry Nzeyi, the chief guest and Ian Rumanyika, the Head of External & Corporate Affairs at Uganda Baati after signing the MOU |
Planting one million trees in Kampala
The Deputy Executive Director of KCCA, Eng David Luyimbazi Ssali, signed the agreement on behalf of the Authority, while Humphrey Nzeyi, the Chairman of PSFU , represented his organization in this collaborative effort.
The initiative aims to address the impact of Climate Change disasters and enhance Environmental Sustainability by planting one million trees within the Kampala Capital City.
The collaboration with PSFU involves planting over 1,000,000 trees, beautifying more than 20 acres of public green spaces, and encouraging businesses to contribute to the city’s greening efforts.
The MOU also seeks to provide information on innovative solutions, technologies, and investment opportunities in green projects, while advocating for policies that promote the greening of cities.
Currently with a tree population of over 200,000 trees with over 300 tree species, KCCA envisions the development of an urban forest to further enhance the city’s sustainability.
Hon. Kyofatogabye Kabuye, the Minister of State for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, emphasized the authority’s ongoing efforts in managing over 200 acres of public green spaces, encompassing parks, Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) corridors, playgrounds, road reserves, and medians.
Expressing gratitude for the collaboration with PSFU, Minister Kabuye outlined KCCA’s plans to establish an urban forestry management system.
This system will actively monitor the city’s urban forest, ensuring accountability and targeted tree-growing activities in areas with limited or no canopy cover.
Additionally, KCCA is working on a green spaces management system to optimize resource utilization by categorizing spaces based on required levels of management.
Humphrey Nzeyi, the chief guest, expressed gratitude to KCCA for spearheading this initiative and extended appreciation to Uganda Baati for supplying the seedlings for the tree-planting campaign.
The partnership aligns with plans to make Kampala a resilient city and enhance its aesthetic appeal.
He emphasized the importance of this collective endeavour, stating, “This partnership represents a significant step towards achieving the shared goal of a more sustainable and climate-resilient. By combining both organizations’ expertise and resources, this collaboration can make a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of people across the nation.”
The tree-planting initiative exemplifies the effectiveness of public-private collaborations in addressing urgent environmental issues through our CSI pillar – Environment.
8th Uganda Economic Growth Forum Past Evenf • Serena Hotel, Kampala, Uganda From 29 Aug 2024 at 08:00 to 30 Aug 2024 at 13:30 Source: Inte...