Uganda

Uganda

Uganda is a low-income Sub-Saharan country facing considerable social and economic problems. Its economy is moving slowly with a GNI per capita of US $ 270 in 2005 and rising to US $ 460 in 2010. Improving the business climate does not seem to be a priority in view of the fact that according to the WB Doing Business report Uganda’s ranking deteriorated from 72nd place in 2006 to 122nd in 2011. The worsening of the business environment is best illustrated by the data on registering property: in 2005 this would take 8 procedures and 48 days. In 2010 it would take 13 procedures and 77 days. Another example is the enforcement of contracts: in 2005 this required 15 procedures taking 209 days on average. In 2010 it would take 38 procedures and 490 days.
Ugandan employers’ national and international interests are being represented by the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE), member of the International Organisation of Employers. DECP undertook a fact-finding mission to FUE in 2007 and concluded a partnership agreement in 2008. FUE and DECP have focussed their cooperation on improving FUE’s financial situation and income-generating services, on better communication both with members and with policy makers, on the development of a sustainable regional structure and on enhancing FUE’s research and advocacy capacity. During 2011 the DECP has concentrated its efforts on a number of membership issues which has included the development of the “FUE Membership Pack” which has now been produced and is being sent to all current and potential members. The development of the FUE regional offices has also been addressed with financial and technical support from the DECP.