Adding value, amplifying prosperity: Uganda’s path to economic growth

By Bagarukayo Abdu

President Museveni’s call to add value to Uganda’s products is a timely reminder of the immense potential lying untapped in our rich natural resources. For too long, Uganda has exported raw materials only to import the same products at exorbitant prices. It is time to shift focus towards value addition, transforming our economy and improving the livelihoods of our citizens.

Take the example of Uganda’s dairy sector. Instead of exporting raw milk, we could process it into cheese, butter, yoghurt, or other finished products, multiplying its value and creating thousands of jobs. The same applies to sugarcane, which can be refined into sugar, processed into ethanol, or converted into biofuels to power industries and vehicles.

Coffee, Uganda’s leading export, presents even greater opportunities. Roasting, grinding, and packaging locally would not only increase its global appeal but also establish Uganda as a premium coffee brand on the international market. Likewise, cotton can be spun into yarn, woven into fabric, and transformed into garments, fueling Uganda’s textile industry while reducing reliance on imports.

By embracing value addition, Uganda can break free from the cycle of exporting cheaply and importing expensively. This strategy will boost the economy, stimulate innovation, attract investment, and open new revenue streams. More importantly, it will create employment opportunities, empower communities, and give Ugandans ownership of their resources.

The prosperity of our nation lies in how effectively we manage and transform what we already have. Value addition is not just an economic policy; it is a survival strategy for sustainable growth and self-reliance. If Ugandans commit to this path, the benefits will span generations.

Let us heed President Museveni’s message, take bold steps, and work together to build an economy where value is created at home and prosperity is shared by all.

The writer is an NRM cadre