Sanjay Tanna Assumes Office as Trade Minister, Unveils Agenda for Economic Transformation

KAMPALA, UGANDA – Hon. Sanjay Tanna has officially assumed office as Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, outlining an ambitious agenda centered on export promotion, industrialization, cooperative development, and institutional efficiency to accelerate Uganda’s economic transformation.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Tanna thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the trust placed in him and pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessors. He commended former Minister Francis Mwebesa, the Ministers of State, the Permanent Secretary, Lynette.B. Bagonza and ministry staff for their contributions, emphasizing that trade, industry, and cooperatives remain critical pillars for wealth creation, job generation, and the implementation of Uganda’s development agenda.

“This ministry is the engine of Uganda’s economy making it the next war frontier” he affirmed while commending the president’s selection for the ministry’s leadership team.

Hon. Tanna outlined four key priorities that will guide his tenure as Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives. These include promoting Made-in-Uganda products and exports through the Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU) policy, accelerating industrialization and job creation through value addition and support to MSMEs, strengthening cooperatives and SACCOs as engines of grassroots wealth creation, and building a responsive, professional, and corruption-free ministry.

He also emphasized reducing bureaucracy, improving service delivery, leveraging ICT for greater efficiency, and fostering teamwork, integrity, and professionalism. Tanna called on all stakeholders to work together to advance Uganda’s industrialization, trade competitiveness, and economic transformation.

The Permanent Secretary Ms. Lynette B. Bagonza commended Hon. Mwebesa for his steady leadership and contribution to advancing Uganda’s economic agenda during his tenure.

She welcomed Hon. Tanna, expressing her confidence in her leadership as the ministry continues to pursue trade competitiveness, industrialization, export diversification, and private sector led transformation.

Reported by: Nickson Bbale | Channel44 TV.