Deo Kayemba elected new UMA chairperson

Deo Kayemba has been elected the new board chairperson of the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) during the 2021 annual general members meeting.

Prior, Kayemba was serving on the UMA board as the deputy board chairperson to Barbara Mulwana. He is the managing director of East African Roofings Limited.

Commenting on his election, Kayemba said that he will continue engaging with the government to address key concerns of industrialists such as the cost of financing and power in the country.

“Our priority now is to help members overcome the challenges precipitated by the pandemic. We will try to find new markets for members that have been disrupted,” he said.

Deo Kayemba (left), the newly elected UMA chairman receives the association symbol from the outgoing chairpersom Barbara Mulwana (centre) after elections during UMA's annual general meeting. (Photo by Benon Ojiambo)

Kayemba noted that more efforts are still needed to support smaller industries to thrive and create much-needed jobs.

“Support does not only mean in terms of money. There are issues such as the tax rates and some policies that hinder growth in the manufacturing sector,” he added.

Mulwana said the goal of the association remains the same; improving the business environment for all manufacturers.

“What we need as a country is more jobs. I believe strengthening the manufacturing sector is key. We still have some taxes that we feel should be brought down. Our strategy has always been engaging with the tax authority on these matters,” she said.

UMA is a business association representing the industrial sector of Uganda's economy with a membership of over 1,200 members in all categories, including corporates, large, medium, and small firms from the private and public sectors.