After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, economies, world over, have witnessed devastating effects from the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, amidst all the gloom and despair, Uganda’s manufacturers stepped up to be part of the solution to the rapidly unfolding effects of Covid-19. From redeployment of production lines to the generous donations given to the Covid-19 task force, manufacturers have braved the pandemic irrespective of the disruptions in logistics, operations and strategic models of several businesses.

Surgical face masks, hand sanitisers and other personal protective equipment (PPEs) are an example of the manufacturers’ creativity to counter the greatest public health and economic threat of our time.

As a means to curb the spread of Covid-19, the World Health Organization recommended use of face masks and hand sanitizers. This recommendation ignited panic buying which resulted into an acute shortage of hand sanitizers.

In a bid to combat the shortage, Uganda Manufacturers Association lobbied government through the Minister of State for Investment to waive off Value Added Tax (VAT) and Excise Duty on certified manufacturers who had retooled their operations to the production of sanitizers. This move propelled the conversion of over 7.3 million liters of alcohol into sanitizers to bridge the shortage.

As the UMA, we applauded manufacturers for their resilience through life changing innovations that have made a difference and improved lives during these unprecedented times.

Currently we have over 37 companies manufacturing different medical supplies aimed at fighting the COVID-19.

Find the list of certified manufacturers of hand sanitizers

https://www.pmldaily.com/business/2020/04/full-list-unbs-nda-certify-17-more-companies-to-produce-sanitizers.html

Downloads 

COVID 19-UMA MITIGATION MEASURES-05042020

Local Manufacturers of PPE 

STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS 2020 

What is UMA Doing About Power Cuts Affecting Manufacturers

Uganda Manufacturers Association is aware of the growing electricity insecurity caused by power outages, surges, spikes, fluctuations, and we regret the toll it is having on your operations.

This is in spite of the fact that the country’s electricity supply currently exceeds demand. Uganda’s maximum demand is estimated at around 600 Megawatts against a total generation capacity of 1167 Megawatts. The issue root of the power problem is an old power distribution network that cannot efficiently and consistently deliver all the generated electricity.

UMA has partnered with an American organization known as Cities and Infrastructure for Growth (CIG) to try and understand the problem and challenge with the aim of providing evidence based value propositions and advisory to the Electricity Regulatory Authority and Government as a whole. This will go a long way in helping Government to identify opportunities and gaps in harnessing the potential of power as a key enabler of Uganda’s manufacturing competitiveness.

As a country, failure to utilize power that has been generated because of outages is such an important matter because it directly contributes to an increase in the electricity tariff. It annuls the fruits of our efforts of advocating for an affordable electricity tariff of US 5Cents.   

The problem of outages is rather complex but UMA is committed to advocating for, not only an electricity tariff of US 5 Cents across all sectors but also a reliable electricity power supply that does not disrupt manufacturing operations.  We are also preparing a schedule to engage the Electricity Regulatory Authority to keep them updated on the problem and need for solutions.