Uganda launches packaging manufacturing project to reduce imports

The Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) and Pamoja Packaging Industrial Solutions Limited have broken ground on a new manufacturing plant at Namanve Industrial Park. The facility will produce recyclable and biodegradable plastic and paper packaging for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and retail sectors.

State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives David Bahati noted that Uganda currently imports approximately $500 million (Shs2 trillion) worth of packaging materials annually. The project aims to reduce this import bill, lower production costs for local manufacturers, and support export promotion by improving product presentation.

This initiative aligns with broader national goals to expand local manufacturing. The government is also preparing to host a National Industrialisation Conference from November 18 to 20, 2026, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to discuss economic transformation and industrial growth.