Parliament has at long last passed the National Local Content Bill, 2019 which prioritises Ugandan citizens and companies in Procurement.
Upon passing the Bill, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga (pictured) expressed happiness, saying: “As a way of creating employment, protecting our economy and people, a foreign investor will be required to hire 100% Ugandans for its unskilled labour force and 60% Ugandans for its skilled labour.”
She added: “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that we have the capacity to grow import substitution by local innovations and adaptations. I urge our entrepreneurs to up their game and ensure we produce goods and services of the highest quality.”
The Bill hit a snag in February 2019 after the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs that was scrutinizing it declined to continue processing it following concerns that certain sections of the Bill contravened the East African Community protocols.
The Bill was tabled by Kassanda North MP, Patrick Nsamba and seconded by his Bukoto South counterpart Muyanja Mbabaali.
It seeks to guarantee priority and exclusive use of locally manufactured goods and services in all projects where the government is a party.
It will become law once President Yoweri Museveni assents to it.
