Jinja City, Uganda
In a key engagement aimed at strengthening the voice and unity of traders in Eastern Uganda, the President of the Uganda National Traders Alliance (UNATA), Katongole Godfrey, today held a strategic meeting with traders and their leaders at Speke Court Hotel, Jinja City.
The consultatative meeting brought together key figures from across the region. The organising committee was led by UNATA’s Eastern Uganda Vice President Mr. Babalanda Patrick and Vice Secretary Mr. Muyanda Emmanuel. Also in attendance were Mrs. Tuhairwe Edisa, head of the NRM Entrepreneurs League in Jinja City, and Mr. Muhairwe Steven, Chairman of the Jinja City Traders and Developers Association.
During the consultation, President Katongole engaged directly with local traders and leaders, listening to their concerns, sharing insights, and rallying them for collective action to improve the business environment across the region.
“We welcome you to Jinja City, President Katongole, and thank you for your tireless efforts in advancing the interests of Uganda’s traders. This consultation meeting is well organized, and the strong participation from traders will definitely give solutions to their challenges,” said Muyanda Emmanuel.
Katongole expressed gratitude to the organizing committee for its coordination and partnership, reaffirming UNATA’s commitment to being a unifying and action-driven force in the business sector.
“I commend your teamwork and the spirit of unity. When leaders come together, share ideas, and combine efforts, we create room for innovation and practical solutions. Let’s continue working hand in hand,” he said.
The UNATA president urged traders not to rely solely on government loans or grants but to focus on what they can initiate locally to drive transformation. He emphasized the importance of import substitution, noting that manufacturing is the backbone of all developed economies.
“As traders, let’s think about value addition and how we can produce locally. Manufacturing remains the most effective way for a country to generate revenue and reduce dependence on imports,” he stated.
The meeting provided a platform for grassroots concerns to be aired. Pande Anthony, Vice President of the Jinja City Traders Association, thanked Katongole for visiting Jinja to unify Busoga traders. He also commended President Museveni’s leadership for maintaining national peace but called on the government to urgently address the high costs and low profits in the sugarcane sector.
Muyinda Robert, a sugarcane farmer, echoed these concerns, asking the government to regulate sugarcane prices. He explained that products made from sugarcane, like sugar, fetch high prices, yet farmers are paid poorly for their produce.
Ngogolo Patrick, a trader based in Jinja, appealed to the government to ensure transparency in tax enforcement. He proposed that URA officers should only engage traders in the presence of a recognized traders’ representative to prevent abuse or intimidation.
Today’s engagement marked a critical step in fostering dialogue between traders and leadership.
