The Uganda Insurers Association (UIA) took part in the 2nd Annual Regional Industrialization Conference, a significant two-day gathering held at the Kampala Serena Hotel from 5th to 6th August, 2025. The conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and regional stakeholders, to deliberate on strategies for inclusive and sustainable industrial growth across East Africa. Held under the theme “Enhancing Policy Advocacy for Sustainable Regional Industrial Growth,” the event focused on aligning regional priorities to drive industrial transformation through strategic collaboration and policy reform.
The conference opened with remarks from David Wozemba, Country Director at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), who acknowledged the collaborative efforts of all partners involved in making the event a success. In his address, Mr. Wozemba emphasized the strong interdependence between agriculture and industrialization, noting that agriculture remains a significant contributor to national GDP and plays a central role in industrial value chains. He called for the modernization of agriculture through the promotion of agro-processing and increased competitiveness in trade, which he argued would unlock substantial opportunities for value addition. He also stressed the need to enhance inter-regional trade by improving market access, harmonizing trade policies, and investing in infrastructure to better position Africa in the global trade ecosystem. Mr. Wozemba concluded by urging policymakers and stakeholders to integrate agricultural transformation strategies into national industrial agendas to promote sustainable economic development throughout the continent.
A key feature of the second day of the conference was a panel discussion on the theme “Strengthening Regional Industrial Growth Through Strategic Insurance Solutions,” moderated by the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Insurers Association, Jonan Kisakye. In his opening remarks, Jonan presented findings from the 2024 Industrial Survey conducted by the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) in collaboration with UIA. The findings revealed that while 90% of large manufacturers have embraced insurance, uptake among small and medium-sized enterprises remains low, with only 64 percent currently insured. He highlighted major risk exposures identified in the survey and underlined the critical role of insurance in risk mitigation and enhancing industrial resilience. Mr. Kisakye reaffirmed the core mandate of insurers to honor legitimate claims, noting that 94% of manufacturers who filed claims had been compensated, and 64% reported a positive claims experience.
Contributing to the same panel, Richard Mwebesa, General Manager for Business Development at Britam Insurance (Uganda) Ltd, offered practical insights on how insurance providers can support commercial and industrial risk management. He stressed the importance of designing tailored insurance solutions that effectively address operational risks, protect industrial investments, and strengthen business continuity. Mr. Mwebesa also emphasized that, strong partnerships between insurers and manufacturers are essential to driving sustainable economic growth in Uganda and the wider East African region.
In a related session focused on workforce resilience, Florence Nabakiibi, Assistant General Manager at ICEA Lion Life Assurance, spoke on the critical role of employee benefits in supporting industrial productivity. She pointed out that beyond awareness, it is essential for employers to educate their employees about the value of savings and insurance coverage options. Ms. Nabakiibi encouraged the adoption of group insurance policies, citing their affordability and comprehensive coverage, and advised that in the absence of such group arrangements, employees should be guided towards suitable individual policies.
Marcos Erimu, Senior Planning and Research Officer at the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), added a regulatory dimension to the discussions. He emphasized the importance of harmonizing insurance frameworks across the East African Community (EAC) to support cross-border trade, improve risk management practices, and bolster investor confidence. According to Mr. Erimu, regulatory alignment is essential to building a robust and competitive industrial sector across the region.
Further expanding the conversation, John Makosya, Chief Operations and Impact Officer at Agro Consortium (U) Ltd, contributed insights during a panel session on securing food systems and industrial growth. He addressed the significant financial losses suffered by the agricultural sector and highlighted the need for farmers to adopt insurance solutions as a means of mitigating risks. John noted that many farmers remain unaware of the existence and benefits of agricultural insurance products and called for broader awareness and education campaigns to encourage uptake. He concluded by stressing that increasing adoption of agro-insurance is crucial for improving the resilience of Uganda’s food systems and advancing sustainable industrial growth within the agricultural sector.
Our participation in the Regional Industrialization Conference underscores UIA’s commitment to supporting the country’s industrial development agenda through promoting strategic insurance solutions. As the industry continues to collaborate with stakeholders across sectors, insurance remains a vital pillar for economic resilience, risk management, and long-term sustainable growth.
