The Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) has embarked on a survey to ascertain the effects of COVID-19 on up to 1,400 of their member manufacturers aimed at finding solutions that will mitigate the impact and advise government on the which policies to formulate for the manufacturers in Uganda in the areas of production, exports and imports.
UMA is headed by In Daniel Birungi (pictured) as Executive Director.
In a statement issued by UMA on 11th April 2020, the initiative for the surveys questionnaire seeks to identify the impact COVID-19 has had on the manufacturing sector from import, production and exports which UMA says has disrupted the manufacturing sector which heavily depends on international trade for exports, imports, raw materials and machinery for production.
“Ideally our country heavily depends on China for all its imports. The closure of borders has meant our manufacturers can barely get access to machinery and other raw materials required to complete the value chains. This questionnaire therefore seeks to identify the impact that this pandemic has had on the manufacturing sector from import, production, distribution and exports,” the statement reads in part.
It says that getting information from members regarding the impact of COVID-19 will put manufacturers in a better position to advise Government on what policies to put in place regarding manufacturing to figure out recovery strategies.
The statement also highlights that though there is need to prevent the spread of the pandemic, the lockdown measures in place has made operations difficult for manufacturers as a major contributor to Uganda’s GDP.
“Manufacturing being a major contributor to the GDP of Uganda is one of the sectors that have been hit hard through disruption of the logistical supply chain which came in early before the outbreak became a pandemic. With the COVID-19 lockdown measures in place, operations are difficult but manufacturers recognize the need to prevent the spread of the pandemic,” it adds.
By Drake Nyamugabwa
