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Achievements of the Chamber

2009

• We successfully launched the Young Achievers Awards to recognize and reward outstanding achievements among the youth aged between 18 and 35 in Uganda. Over 100,000 youth are expected to participate in these awards that will culminate in a colourful awards event on 14th November 2009.
• We have signed an agreement with BUDS, a world bank-funded project that gives business development grants. Through these grants, we hope to extend reputable training using the International Financing Corporation's re known tool called Business EdgeTM
• We have implemented the SIDA/UNCCI Institutional Capacity Building Project, Phase II. Phase has been a two-year project costing US$514,741.It sought to build the institution's capacity
• We were re-voted back onto the EABC Board for another consecutive term. This shows the confidence that private sector vests in our capacity to undertake advocacy at the regional level
• We met with the key players in the coffee sector in preparation of a Coffee Processing Workshop to be organized in 2009 in partnership with Uganda Coffee Development Authority, Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce
• We launched the Private Sector Forum on the promotion of improved vocational and technical training with support from GTZ-PEVOT. The forum was launched at a colourful ceremony presided over by the Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Namirembe Bitamazire
• We signed an MOU with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation. Mr. Sam Engola, our Vice President was part of the national delegation that accompanied Hi Excellency the President of Uganda to Russia in August 2009
• We have agreed with Uganda Investment Authority to channel the SME support managed by UIA to our members. This was achieved in a meeting with Dr. Maggie Kigozi, the UIA Executive Director on her visit to UNCCI

Other Achievements
Madam Olive Kigongo assumed the Presidency of the Chamber in December 2001. She has presided over a major turn-around of the institution from near-insolvency to solvency, negative public perception to positive image and from leadership wrangles to stability in governance. Some of the key achievements attained in the last five years of her leadership include:

• Relocation of the Secretariat to UNCCI- owned premises in the Central Business District. In order to facilitate access to all stakeholders and project a more business-like image, the Secretariat was relocated from Plot 2, Parliament Avenue, Jumbo Plaza to the chamber-owned premises at Plot 1A/B Kiira Rd, Mulago. This began the journey towards a more positive public face. The new premises are fully equiped with state of the art technology, spacious executive offices, an information resource centre and are in a secure environment
• Improved Financial Health; At the beginning of the term of office of the present President, the Chamber was weighed down by debt. Efforts have been made to turn-round the weak financial position and return it to solvency.
• Regional and International Cooperation; In keeping with the demands of a globalized world and economy, UNCCI has been actively engaged in regional, continental and international bodies whose mandate and operations have a bearing on the interests of the private sector and the hopes and aspirations of our members. Excellent relations are enjoyed between UNCCI and bodies such as the East African Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (EACCIA, the East African Business Council (EABC, the Union of African Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Professions (UACCIAP), the Islamic Chambers of Commerce, the International Chamber of Commerce, the Swedish Chambers of Commerce and the International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR).
• New Strategic Plan (NSP); With the Swedish International Development Co-operation (Sida),a New Strategic Plan(NSP) was prepared and enriched by a participatory process that took the form of countrywide Needs Assessment Workshops. The NSP outlines a roadmap for the revamping of UNCCI with particular focus on the strengthening of governance and management, income-generation and decentralization. The NSP, in itself, is an achievement for UNCCI as it articulates UNCCI shortcomings and points to their remedies. In that regard, it provides a blueprint for the turn-around of the institution.
• Project Management; In the same period, a number of projects have been conceived and implemented or are in the pipeline. Some of these include:
  1. The SIDA/UNCCI Institutional Capacity Building Project, Phase I. Phase I was successfully implemented paving way for Phase II.
  2. The SIDA/UNCCI Institutional Capacity Building Project, Phase 2
  3. Data Bank and Information System (DABIS) Project; The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) committed US$139,000 worth of funds to the above project. This project sought to enhance the flow of business information across sectors of the economy