SMEs Urge State House Unit to Ease Bureaucracy and Promote Investment

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are calling upon the State House Investors Protection Unit, led by Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema, to take action against government agencies and parastatals that are hindering their growth and impeding investment in the country. During discussions with various stakeholders, directors of SMEs highlighted issues such as bureaucratic obstacles, challenging access to resources, unfair taxation, and stringent terms and conditions imposed by different government entities.

The SME sector players expressed their frustration over the bureaucracy and taxation procedures that domestic investors are facing. They also raised concerns about the distribution of government funds, including Covid recovery funds, the Parish Development Model, and Youth Livelihood Funds, which they believe have not been fairly allocated, leaving many SMEs without access to these resources.

Biira Bbosa, the chairman of the Katwe Small Scale Industries Association, shared the sentiment of many SMEs, expressing their dissatisfaction with the distribution of government funds.

The SMEs look to the State House Investors Protection Unit, under the leadership of Col. Edith Nakalema, for support in addressing these issues. The unit aims to provide domestic investors with the opportunity to access available opportunities and expand their businesses.

Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema affirmed that the unit’s goal is to boost domestic investment without eliminating foreign investment, allowing domestic investors to seize opportunities and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.