PROFILE : Shyam Jay Tanna, ready to steer Tororo toward a more prosperous , inclusive future

Shyam Jay Tanna, the newly elected Member of Parliament–elect for Tororo Municipality, represents the rise of a new generation of leadership grounded in enterprise, public service, and deep community roots in Eastern Uganda.

Born and raised in Tororo, Shyam comes from one of the region’s most well-known business and political families. His grandfather, Mr G.L.Tanna was one of the very few Asians that stayed back during the turbulent times that witnessed the expulsion of majority of Indians from Uganda. He is the son of the late Hon. Jay Tanna, former Member of Parliament for Eastern Youth, and the nephew of Hon. Sanjay Tanna, a senior NRM cadre and former MP for Tororo Municipality. Growing up under their guidance, Shyam was exposed early to leadership, development work, and the responsibilities of public service.

Education and Early Formation

Shyam completed his primary education at Kampala Parents School, followed by O-Levels at Makerere College School and A-Levels at Rainbow International School, Kampala. He later pursued higher education in the United Kingdom, graduating with a degree in International Business and Digital Marketing.

He returned to Uganda during the COVID-19 period, where he took on increasing responsibility within the family’s business operations—eventually assuming leadership roles across the group. This period marked a turning point, sharpening his focus on operational leadership, employment creation, and long-term economic development.

A Family Legacy of Development

The Tanna family has played a significant role in Tororo’s development over several decades. Through public service and private initiatives, Hon. Jay Tanna and Hon. Sanjay Tanna supported and implemented key community projects, including the construction of schools, health facilities, bridges, spring wells, and the revival of the Tororo airstrip. These interventions improved access to essential services and left a lasting footprint across the district.

When calls emerged for Hon. Sanjay Tanna to return to elective politics, he instead chose to continue serving at the national level, offering guidance within the NRM under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Encouraged by this decision, Shyam stepped forward—seeking not to replicate the past, but to build on it with a modern, youth-driven approach to leadership.

“I am not coming to start from zero,” Shyam says. “A foundation already exists. My responsibility is to strengthen it, modernize it, and create opportunities that speak to today’s realities.”

Business Leadership and Employment Creation

Shyam currently oversees a diverse portfolio of enterprises within the family business group. He serves as Managing Director of DSPD Enterprises, a leading importer and distributor of premium beverages in Uganda, handling brands such as Heineken, Amarula, Nederburg, and Savannah, with exports to neighboring countries.

He also manages radio stations in Tororo and Soroti, oversees MTN and Nile Breweries operations across Eastern Uganda, and recently led the establishment of the Tanna Investments Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Malaba, a strategic logistics hub serving the wider East African region.

In addition, Shyam has expanded into real estate, focusing on modern housing and commercial developments within Eastern Uganda. Collectively, these ventures employ over 1,000 people directly and support more than 1,500 indirectly, positioning the group among the region’s largest private-sector employers.

Values, Vision, and Community Engagement

Beyond business, Shyam has been actively involved in youth and women empowerment initiatives across Tororo. His philosophy centers on sustainable, household-level economic growth.

“True development starts at home,” he explains. “If families are empowered with skills, access to capital, and opportunity, communities become self-reliant. Leadership should create systems—not dependency.”

Political Outlook and National Alignment

A supporter of the NRM government and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Shyam has expressed admiration for the President’s long-term vision for national transformation. As MP-elect, he has emphasized the importance of working constructively with government structures to ensure Tororo benefits from existing national programs and resources.

“The opportunities are already there,” he notes. “What has been missing is effective local leadership to connect our people to those opportunities.”

Priority Focus Areas • Employment and Youth Empowerment – Job creation, entrepreneurship, and access to capital • Education – Improving school infrastructure, staffing, and learning conditions • Healthcare – Strengthening health facilities and access to medical equipment • Infrastructure and Electrification – Roads, electricity, and urban services • Household Income Growth – Supporting small businesses and family-level enterprises

A New Generation, A Renewed Mandate

Shyam Jay Tanna’s election marks a generational shift in leadership for Tororo Municipality. Combining private-sector experience, community grounding, and national alignment, he enters public life with a clear focus on delivery, accountability, and long-term impact.

“Leadership is not about age or titles,” he says. “It’s about service, learning, and delivering results.”

As MP-elect, Shyam positions himself as a bridge between legacy and renewal—committed to honoring the past while steering Tororo toward a more prosperous and inclusive future.