On June 18, 2024, the sixth Sustainable Business for Uganda (SB4U) board meeting took place, hosted by the EU at the Onomo Hotel. The event saw a diverse gathering of representatives, including government officials, EU ambassadors, industry leaders, and private sector representatives.
The meeting began with welcoming remarks from Sarah Kitakule and EU Ambassador H.E. Jan Sadek, followed by a detailed agenda presentation. Ambassador Sadek highlighted the importance of the SB4U platform and acknowledged the presence of notable dignitaries, including the State Minister for General Duties, Ministry of Finance, Honourable Henry Musasizi, and EU member state ambassadors and representatives. The meeting also featured key figures from the private sector, such as the Chairman of Clark Group, the Executive Director of Nice House of Plastics, and representatives from other significant enterprises.
Humphrey Nzeyi, Chairperson of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and co-chair of SB4U, expressed gratitude for the EU’s long-standing partnership, which has spanned nearly three decades. He emphasized the success of the recent Uganda-EU Business Forum, noting that trade between Uganda and the EU had doubled since the inception of the forums in 2020. The forum, held in March 2024, was a milestone event with over 3,700 participants registering to attend, both in-person and online, and facilitated significant business interactions and discussions on finance.
Ambassador Sadek and Mr. Nzeyi underscored the ongoing commitment to private sector development, trade, and investment between Uganda and the EU. They announced the continuation of the SB4U platform through new EU programs focused on trade, investment, and tourism. The EU’s recent launch of eight Team Europe projects worth over €200 million was highlighted as a testament to this commitment.
The Honourable Minister of Finance acknowledged the critical role of the private sector in Uganda’s economy and praised the successful implementation of key interventions through the EU partnership. The minister highlighted the budget’s focus on investment, job creation, export promotion, and business environment improvement.
The meeting also featured updates from the SB4U Secretariat on the outcomes of the recent business forum and ongoing activities. The Secretariat’s efforts in coordinating the platform’s ambitious activities were commended, with a special mention of Sarah Kitakule’s leadership. In conclusion, the sixth SB4U board meeting celebrated the achievements of the EU-Uganda partnership, discussed future initiatives, and reinforced the shared commitment to fostering sustainable business growth and economic development in Uganda.
