On 22^nd October 2026, Uganda Management Institute (UMI) hosted a Public Policy Dialogue centered on “The Determinants of Industrial Sector Growth in Uganda.” It was held in collaboration with the Uganda Policy Development Management Forum which is a specialized think tank established to support evidence based policy formulation. The event demonstrated UMI’s central role in converting academic research into actionable national development policies.

The Chief Guest, Hon. Henry Musasizi, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, commended UMI’s unwavering commitment to research utilization and administrative leadership. The dialogue brought together a distinguished assembly of top government officials, ministry of finance technocrats, academicians, researchers, public sector delegates, civil society organizations, and prominent scholars.

The central highlight of the event was the maiden public presentation of the doctoral research conducted by Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury. Following his recent PhD award from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, Dr. Ggoobi chose UMI as the ideal audience to share his empirical findings. This selection underscores UMI’s standing as the primary national hub for high level policy deliberation and validation.

Addressing the gathering, UMI’s Director General Professor James Nkata reaffirmed the Institute’s primary duty of bridging the gap between scientific research and practical execution. He explained that the public policy dialogue serves as a vital platform for knowledge translation; where empirical research is internalized, validated and applied to review existing policy frameworks and design effective interventions for socio-economic transformation.

Strategic Policy Imperatives for Industrial Sector Growth

The discussions yielded several critical takeaways for national policymakers seeking to unlock Uganda’s industrial potential. Chief among these was the urgent necessity of tackling the capital formation and financing hurdles such as the high commercial lending rates that impose a severe constraint on long-gestation manufacturing investments. To de-risk the industrial sector and decouple growth from punitive commercial borrowing, participants stressed the imperative of expanding targeted, concessional credit, particularly through the continuous recapitalization of the Uganda Development Bank.

Furthermore, the dialogue emphasized a fundamental shift in how industrial success is evaluated nationwide. Delegates noted that progress must no longer be measured by factory counts or industrial park acreage. Instead, the impact must be evaluated by the creation of sustainable better paying jobs, integration of resilient local supplier networks and genuine domestic value addition that retains economic benefits within the country.

Participants called for a direct alignment between Technical and Vocational Education and Training systems and the practical operational demands of modern manufacturers to ensure that workforce capabilities match realities.

Institutional synergy and leadership

Beyond the high level keynotes and thematic policy debates, the dialogue showcased a remarkable unity of purpose across academia, government, and institutional administration.

Professor Nkata highlighted UMI’s extensive capability to support government ministries through operational research, executive capacity development and specialized consultancy services. Backed by a highly qualified faculty featuring numerous PhD holders and seasoned experts, UMI has already established organized research clusters ready to maximize national development funding.

As UMI prepares to host major international events, including the 10th International Public Procurement Conference, the Institute continues to solidify its reputation as the nation’s anchor for administrative excellence, strategic leadership, and evidence based policy advocacy.