India hails appointment of Sanjay Tanna to Uganda cabinet

The Indian High Commission has welcomed the appointment of Trade Minister Sanjay Tanna to Uganda’s Cabinet, describing it as recognition of the Indian community’s contribution to the country’s social and economic development.

Speaking during India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations in Uganda on Saturday, Indian High Commissioner to Uganda Upender Singh Rawat also welcomed the election of Mr Tanna’s son, Shyam Tanna, as the Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality.

Mr Rawat said the appointments demonstrate the government’s recognition of the contribution made by people of Indian origin to Uganda.

“We thank the government of Uganda for appointing an Indian into Cabinet and also the election of an Indian national as Tororo Municipality Member of Parliament. This shows that government recognises what the Indian community is contributing socially and economically to the community,” he said.

He said the Indian government, Uganda government, Indian Business Forum and Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry were working together to attract more Indian investors to Uganda.

The planned investments, he said, would focus on sectors including agriculture, tourism and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Mr Rawat urged members of the Indian community to respect Ugandan cultural values, laws and immigration requirements as they expand their businesses and investments in the country.

Mr Tanna, who presided over the opening of a three-day medical exhibition at the Uganda Manufacturers Association show grounds in Lugogo, urged Indian pharmaceutical companies to establish manufacturing plants in Uganda.

He said local production could reduce the cost of medicines, create jobs and facilitate technology transfer.

“Uganda imports most of its medicine from India. You should come and invest here so that you make the drugs cheaper, transfer technology and also start manufacturing equipment,” Mr Tanna said.

He said Uganda also needs more locally manufactured medical equipment, noting shortages of basic diagnostic devices in some health facilities.

The exhibition was organised by the Indian Business Forum and Astrovision Global FZCo, a Dubai-based company that organises international exhibitions in sectors including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, food, energy, construction and textiles.

Dr Kaushal, the director of marketing and international sales, said 14 pharmaceutical companies participated in this year’s exhibition, alongside companies involved in contract manufacturing, drug packaging and prefabricated factory construction.

As part of the Independence Day celebrations, Bank of India and the Indian Association of Uganda also launched a campaign targeting 25,000 units of donated blood.

More than 200 units were collected in Kampala on the first day of the campaign at a site along Bombo Road.

Mr Rodgers Bisanga, a marketing officer at Bank of India, said the campaign has identified 82 blood donation sites across Kampala.

He said the bank contributed Shs5 million towards basic supplies, including sugar, soap, basins, water and gift hampers for blood donors.

The campaign is being implemented in partnership with the Indian Association of Uganda as part of the community’s contribution to Uganda’s healthcare sector.