Tembo Steels (U) Limited general manager Mr. Manish Kalla, has highlighted the importance of developing local capacity and creating opportunities for enterprises within Uganda’s mineral economy.
Manish was speaking at the inaugural Uganda Catalyst Summit at MoTIV Hub, Bugolobi, which brought together government leaders, private sector actors, investors, development partners, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders for a high-level national platform designed to translate Uganda’s National Development Plan IV priorities into measurable enterprise outcomes.
“Uganda’s mineral potential can only create lasting economic impact when we build strong systems around it. Financing, skills development, and local content policies will be critical in ensuring Ugandans participate meaningfully across the mineral value chain’’, Manish said.
He added that exploring how the country can unlock more value from its mineral resources, can empower local enterprises, and drive sustainable economic growth hailing the event as an important opportunity to share ideas, spark partnerships, and shape a stronger future for Uganda’s minerals sector through enterprise participation and value creation.
TSUL has been technology driven & has a broad product portfolio with a prominent position in the East Africa market. Manned by a highly efficient and dynamic team of employees, the company is growing stronger every day.
The company endeavours to strengthen Uganda’s industrial base by aiding infrastructural development, through sustainable development approaches and inclusive growth. It deploys its resources to improve infrastructure, education, health, water, sanitation, environment and so on in the areas it operates in. It has won several awards for its innovative business and social practices.
Under the leadership of Mr. Sanjay Awasthi, TSUL manufactures cost-effective and high-performing steel by integrating backward and forward processes. Offering an extensive array of flat and long products, TSUL’s product portfolio spans the entirety of the steel value chain, catering to diverse markets. Fueled by an indigenous ethos and a keen foresight into future trends, these factors have been instrumental in propelling the company’s extraordinary growth trajectory.
The two-day Summit, running from June 25th to 26th, was convened under the theme “Catalyzing Action for Growth: Accelerating Uganda’s Tenfold Growth through Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” serving as the anchor event for the United Nations Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Day commemorations.
The Summit is a collaborative initiative of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, the National Planning Authority, The Innovation Village Hub, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), among others.
Opening the event on Day One, Hon. Sanjay Tanna, Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, underscored the critical role that MSMEs play in Uganda’s economy. He noted that MSMEs constitute approximately 99% of all businesses in the country, contribute about 75% to GDP, employ over three million people, and generate more than 80% of domestic revenue.
On Day Two, Uganda joined the rest of the world in commemorating the United Nations MSME Day, with stakeholders from government, the private sector, and development partners calling for enhanced support to MSMEs as drivers of economic transformation and sustainable development.
Addressing stakeholders as Guest of Honour, Hon. David Bahati, Minister of State for Industry, underscored the significant contribution of MSMEs to Uganda’s economy, noting that the sector comprises approximately one million enterprises contributing 75 percent of GDP and employing about 2.5 million people—equivalent to 90 percent of the total non-farm private sector workforce.
Representing the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Executive Director Sarah Kagingo affirmed that the private sector is becoming a key partner in the implementation of Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy.
She emphasized that for the private sector to effectively drive economic transformation, there is a pressing need for an enabling environment that allows businesses to learn expertise, expand their operations, and compete both regionally and internationally.