JINJA, UGANDA – A high-level parliamentary delegation from the Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industry today conducted a comprehensive oversight visit at MUTUMA Cotton Ginnery in Jinja, marking the beginning of a two-day assessment tour aimed at strengthening Uganda’s industrial and trade sectors.
The team, which includes Dokolo Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Sarah Aguti Nyangkori, was received at the ginnery as part of Parliament’s ongoing efforts to monitor and evaluate the performance of key industries critical to the country’s economic development.
Speaking exclusively to the media ahead of the committee’s scheduled visit to Lira City tomorrow, Hon. Aguti emphasized the importance of parliamentary oversight in ensuring that government investments and private sector initiatives deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
“Our role as a committee is to ensure that industries like MUTUMA Cotton Ginnery are not just operational but are actually contributing to our economy and creating opportunities for Ugandans,” Aguti said. “What we have seen today will inform our discussions as we move to Lira tomorrow.”
The committee’s Lira visit is expected to focus on critical industrial and trade stakeholders, including the Lira Spinning Mill, the Private Sector Foundation Lira, the Labour Union at Lira Spinning Mill, and the Uganda Chambers of Commerce.
Aguti noted that the Lira Spinning Mill will be a key point of interest, given its potential to transform the region’s cotton value chain and create employment for thousands of youth in the Lango sub-region.
“The Lira Spinning Mill is a project of great significance to our people. We want to understand its current status, the challenges it faces, and what Parliament can do to ensure it becomes fully operational and beneficial to the community,” she stated. “We will also be meeting with the Labour Union to hear the concerns of workers, because industrial development must go hand in hand with fair labour practices.”
The Dokolo Woman MP further highlighted the importance of engaging with the Private Sector Foundation and the Uganda Chambers of Commerce, describing them as essential partners in driving economic growth and attracting investment to the region.
“We cannot talk about development without the private sector. Their input will be crucial in shaping our recommendations to Parliament,” she added.
The Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industry is constitutionally mandated to examine, monitor, and evaluate the activities of government ministries, departments, and agencies involved in trade, tourism, and industrial development. The committee’s findings and recommendations often inform policy decisions and budget allocations.
Today’s visit to MUTUMA Cotton Ginnery in Jinja and tomorrow’s engagements in Lira City are part of a broader parliamentary effort to ensure accountability and promote industrial growth across Uganda.
Aguti expressed optimism that the oversight visit would yield actionable insights that will contribute to the development of the country’s cotton and textile sector.
“The cotton industry has enormous potential to create jobs, boost exports, and support local farmers. Our job is to ensure that potential is realized,” she said.
The committee’s visit to Lira is also expected to provide an opportunity for local stakeholders to engage directly with their parliamentary representatives on issues affecting trade and industry in the region.
Aguti urged residents and business owners in Lira to take an active interest in the committee’s work, noting that their voices are essential in shaping the policies that affect their livelihoods.
“Development is not just about buildings and machines; it is about people. We want to hear from the people of Lira and ensure their concerns are addressed,” she said.
The committee is expected to conclude its oversight visit with a debriefing session and a commitment to follow up on key issues identified during the tour.
