The 4th Edition of the UG Economic Forum – 2024 was officially launched today at Next Media Park, setting the stage for a week-long series of discussions from September 16th to 23rd. This year’s forum, under the theme “Unlocking Uganda’s Economic Potential: Strategies for Sustainable Growth and Development,” brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore strategies for Uganda’s economic advancement.
In his opening remarks, Joe Kigozi, Deputy Group CEO of Next Media, emphasized the significance of creating a platform for informed discussions aimed at actionable solutions. “As the leading media group in Africa, we’ve been requested to create platforms where such conversations can be discussed. Our role is to deploy all our assets to ensure this information is consumed, encouraging the right conversations to grow our economy.”
Voices from the Forum
Several prominent voices have already shared their insights, providing diverse perspectives on Uganda’s economic potential.
Adu Rando, Country Director at NBL, expressed optimism about Uganda’s economic growth but stressed the need for greater efficiency: “There’s much to celebrate about Uganda’s growth, but we must also focus on efficiency and prioritize areas that need to develop faster.”
Dokoria Denis, Head of Public Relations at Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), emphasized the critical role of agro-processing in the country’s economic development. “Over 60% of our investment is in agro-processing. As an agro-based economy, it’s crucial to focus on this area,” he noted.
Apollo Munghinda, Principal Communications Officer at the Ministry of Finance, provided an encouraging outlook on Uganda’s economic trajectory. “We’re optimistic that the economy will grow from 7% in the medium term to over 10% in the next 15 years. Our discussions should focus on how we can take advantage of the opportunities available to us,” he said.
As the conversations unfold, the insights shared will play a crucial role in determining Uganda’s economic path forward, ensuring that growth is both sustainable and inclusive for years to come.