Uganda needs policy to revive textile industry
(Contd. from page 1...)
The absence of a strong advocacy group for textiles is killing the growth of one of the most important industries in any developing country. Continued dependence on second hand clothing and inferior textile goods imported especially from the East will adversely hinder the growth of their own local textile and clothing industry for many years to come.
It is high time the policy makers put in place a road map (textile policy) aimed at creating a conducive atmosphere for investment in the textile industry. There is need to deliberately remove taxes from imported new textile machinery and accessories, say for five years, in order to attract investment.
They have been taken for a ride by pretenders from outside who have posed as genuine investors in textiles but have let this country down. Mulco Textiles in Kawempe and Pamba Textiles in Jinja would not have closed if they had genuine investors in the textile sub-sector. The African Textile Mill in Mbale would not be limping 17 years or so down the road if it had not reverted to its original owners.
None of these investors seems interested in contributing to the development of a strong and vibrant local textile industry which will employ thousands of Ugandans besides adding value to our good cotton. Several of the would-be investors in the textile sector are interested in running ginneries and work together with CDO in exporting cotton lint instead of adding value to it.
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