Gulu City is set to host the 5th Bi-Annual CEO Retreat from September 12th to 14th, 2024, with a focus on transforming Northern Uganda into a commercialized production and logistics hub for export. The retreat, themed “Battle to Green Field: Transforming Northern Uganda into a Commercialized Production and Logistical Hub for Exports,” aims to accelerate the region’s potential to become a key player in Uganda’s economy by advancing agriculture and logistics.
The event was announced by Hon. Fred Bwino, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), alongside Mr Benon Kajuna, Director Transport ministry of works and transport, and Mrs. Irene Birungi Mugisha, Coordinator of the Presidential CEO Forum (PCF).
Hon. Bwino emphasized the importance of agro-industrialization in shaping Uganda’s socio-economic development. He highlighted that agriculture contributes 24.01% to Uganda’s GDP, and the government’s ongoing efforts to expand agro-industrialization have already begun transforming the country’s landscape. “Agro-industrialization bridges the gap between agriculture and industry by adding value to our raw agricultural products, creating a robust industrial base and generating employment opportunities across the value chain,” he said.
The Minister also underscored the significance of the Gulu Logistical Hub for export, which will enable agro-industrial products from Northern Uganda to reach global markets. He cited successful local initiatives, such as a cooperative of small-scale fruit farmers in Gulu who have established a fruit processing plant and beekeepers in Kitgum who are now exporting honey to European markets.
Douglas Opio, Board Member of the Presidential CEO Forum, provided insights into the retreat’s objectives and the broader vision for Northern Uganda. He noted that the region, once a battlefield during the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency, has experienced absolute peace for the past 15 years, creating an environment conducive to production and export.
Opio emphasized the role of the PCF in bridging the gap between the private sector and the Office of the President, helping to craft solutions that drive Uganda’s tenfold growth agenda. He revealed that over 40 policy resolutions from previous retreats have been adopted by the government, with 70% of those requiring funding included in recent budgets.
The retreat is expected to attract around 1,000 participants, including business people, farmers, and government officials. The forum’s objectives include trade promotion, value addition, policy proposal provision, networking between the private sector and government, and facilitating business-to-business interactions.
As the retreat approaches, there is optimism that Northern Uganda will soon emerge as a vital commercial hub, significantly contributing to the nation’s economic growth and positioning itself as a key player in the global market.
