2.3.10 Most of the institutions authorised to regulate entities or enforce
standards under the various laws and regulations have been carrying out
awareness programmes for the public and the business community. For
example, UNBS and NEMA have been carrying out public awareness
programmes in the print media as well as radio and television. The CMA
has also been carrying out education programmes in schools and
universities. Enterprise Uganda, the Institute of Corporate Governance
of Uganda (ICGU) and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and
Administrators (ICSA) Uganda, have been involved in delivering training
to the business community in corporate governance and business
development skills.
2.3.11 In promoting an enabling environment and an effective regulatory
framework for economic activities and business, 24 Bills have been fasttracked by the Presidential Investment Roundtable and are at different
stages of being enacted. Once enacted, these laws will greatly improve
the business environment as well as Uganda‟s ranking in the World Bank
Doing Business Report. By March 2009, the number of days for starting
a business in Uganda had reduced from 28 working days in 2008 to 25 in
2009. The Competitiveness and Investment Climate Strategy (CICS),
which was formulated to monitor, coordinate and evaluate progress
made in adoption of the identified priority laws for fast-tracking was also
being implemented.
2.3.12 Significant progress has been registered in developing the stock
exchange. Progress has also been achieved in increasing public awareness
of the stock exchange. As part of the public education programme, the
Capital Markets‟ Secondary Schools Challenge, which CMA initiated in
2003, continued in 2008/9.
2.3.13 Progress has been achieved with regard to revitalising and strengthening
the role of Uganda Development Bank. Government agreed to inject
UGX20 billion in the Bank over the next five years. UGX5 billion was
injected during the financial year 2008/09.
2.3.14 A fully-fledged „One-Stop Facility‟ continued operating at Uganda
Investment Authority, and has been very useful in addressing investors‟
formalities. Officers from the Uganda Revenue Authority, Immigration
Department and Uganda Registration Services Bureau are stationed at
the facility.