Tanna urges Indian community to invest in Uganda's growth sectors
Tanna said Uganda's improved infrastructure, including an expanded tarmac road network, surplus electricity and the anticipated start of oil production, demonstrates that the country is well positioned to attract greater investment.
The Chairperson of the Indian Association of Jinja (East and North Sector), Piyush Kotecha (left), and industrialist Magan Patel (right) present a gift to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna (centre), at City Point Resto in Jinja City on June 28. (Photo by Donald Kiiry)
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Uganda's trade, industry and cooperatives state minister Sanjay Tanna, has urged the Indian business community to bring back capital and invest in agro-processing, tourism, mining, and science and technology to support the country's ambition of expanding the economy to $500 billion (sh1,825 trillion) by 2040.
Speaking at a gala organised by the Indian Association Jinja, East and North Sector at City Point Resto in Jinja city on June 28, 2026, Tanna reflected on the deep historical roots and resilience of the Indian diaspora in Uganda.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna (right), Tororo Municipality MP Shyam Jay Tanna (second right), and Kakira Sugar Limited Company Secretary Krishna Iyengar (third right) attend a celebration at City Point Resto in Jinja City on June 28. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)
Tanna said Uganda's improved infrastructure, including an expanded tarmac road network, surplus electricity and the anticipated start of oil production, demonstrates that the country is well positioned to attract greater investment.
“Uganda is ready for doing business,” he said, urging members of the Indian community to encourage relatives and business partners abroad to channel capital into Uganda's high-potential sectors instead of keeping it overseas for lower returns.
He identified agro-processing, tourism, mining and minerals, and science, technology and ICT as priority sectors for investment.
The minister also called for stronger cultural integration, urging members of the Indian community to build closer relationships with local Ugandans.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna, addresses members of the Indian business community at City Point Resto in Jinja City on June 28. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)
Shyam Tanna, the Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality and the minister's nephew, echoed the call for increased investment.
He thanked the Indian community in Jinja and the wider eastern region for its contribution to industry and trade and urged businesses to continue investing locally, creating jobs and supporting community development instead of repatriating all their profits.
"How we treat local communities, our house helps, and the people we trade with matters immensely. India may be the Janmabhumi (land of birth) for some, but Uganda is our Karmabhumi (land of action). We must treat home like home," he stated.
Shyam also urged the community to treat local people with humanity and kindness to strengthen relations and promote peaceful coexistence.
Piyush Kotecha, chairman of the Indian Association Jinja, welcomed the guests and highlighted the community's social initiatives, including medical camps that have served about 20,000 people and plans to collect 10,000 units of blood this year.
He expressed pride in seeing members of the community, including Sanjay Tanna, serve in senior government positions and thanked President Yoweri Museveni for appointing Tanna as Minister, saying the community is confident he will deliver.
Other speakers, including Krishna Iyengar, congratulated the Tanna family on its achievements and called for solutions to challenges affecting the sugar industry and the taxation of global income.
Local leader Robert Birimengo thanked Indian-owned businesses for supporting surrounding communities and appealed to the minister to address the poor state of Oboja Road and concerns over former Indian-owned properties that he said are contributing to insecurity.
The event celebrated the Indian community's contribution to Uganda's economy, its efforts to preserve its cultural heritage and its partnership with Uganda, while reinforcing messages of unity, investment and shared prosperity under President Yoweri Museveni's leadership.
After the speeches, the Nile Beat entertainment group performed for guests as the Indian community celebrated Sanjay Tanna's appointment as minister and Shyam Jay Tanna's election as Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality.