By Aggrey Baba
When Uganda’s industrialization story is told, the name of Dr Patrick Birungi is increasingly becoming difficult to overlook.
At the groundbreaking ceremony for Pamoja Packaging and Industrial Solutions Plant in Namanve Industrial Park, the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) Executive Director found himself at the centre of glowing tributes from two prominent government figures who credited his leadership with helping turn Uganda’s industrialization ambitions into tangible investments.
Former Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde was particularly generous in her praise, commending Birungi for breathing new life into UDC, strengthening its investment agenda and helping indigenous Ugandan entrepreneurs establish businesses that can compete in the country’s growing industrial economy.
Kyambadde’s message was that Birungi has helped make UDC visible, relevant and increasingly consequential in Uganda’s economic transformation journey.
She applauded his commitment to developing local enterprises, noting that the corporation’s interventions are giving Ugandan businesses opportunities to grow and participate meaningfully in the country’s industrialization drive.
Minister of State for Trade David Bahati also joined the chorus of praise, publicly recognizing Birungi’s decade of service in building UDC and acknowledging the contribution of his team towards investment mobilization, employment creation and national wealth generation.
Bahati’s tribute went beyond the usual ceremonial compliments, recognizing the work Birungi and his colleagues have invested in positioning UDC as an important vehicle for Uganda’s industrial development.
The praise came against the backdrop of Pamoja Packaging Company’s groundbreaking, an investment expected to create more than 1,000 jobs while reducing Uganda’s dependence on imported packaging materials.
With about 90% of the machinery already at the site, construction is expected to move immediately, with commissioning projected within 12 months.
The recognition from Kyambadde and Bahati offered for Dr Birungi another public endorsement of the work being undertaken by UDC as it pursues investments designed to expand domestic production, create employment and retain more value within Uganda’s economy.
The Pamoja project is a reminder that industrialization is not merely about making speeches and announcing ambitious targets, but it requires institutions, leadership and people capable of translating national aspirations into factories, jobs and locally manufactured products. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
