President Yoweri Museveni has recognized National Medical Stores (NMS) for embracing the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) government Policy through the purchase of locally assembled buses.
During his address to the Nation on 5th August, the President reiterated the need for Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to support Metu Zhongtong Bus Industries in the purchase of Made in Uganda light and heavy vehicles to cut back on on the effects of relying on imports.
‘‘All this inflation we are experiencing now is because of importation (Okusaka). That is why point Number 5 of the NRM’s 10-point program was to Build an economy which is integrated, independent and self-sustaining, which is what we are already doing’’, President Museveni noted.
The proprietor of Uganda’s first bus assembly plant, Metu Katabazi, revealed during the President’s address that NMS was among the few MDAs that had procured 2 buses; among which is the ‘UBJ 304U’, popularly known among NMS staff as the Bombardier.
The President made the remarks while addressing the Nation on the cause of the sky-rocketing prices, which he said was due to the country’s heavy dependence on imported goods.
The NMS Principal Public Relations Officer, Sheilla Nduhukire, welcomed the President’s comments.
‘‘We are grateful that the President brought our performance to the attention of all Ugandans and we pledge to continue supporting BUBU. The NMS commitment to BUBU already stretches to the procurement of medicines and medical supplies from local manufacturers. NMS has been among the MDAs in government that started with BUBU and has been following through all these years”, Nduhukire noted.
Information from PPDA indicates that 60% of the NMS procurement budget is spent on BUBU (local manufacturers), which is higher than the government target of 40% for all procurement budgets, making NMS the highest BUBU-compliant MDA.
NMS procures essential medicines and health supplies from local manufacturers such as CIPLA among others.
Museveni further instructed all Government Agencies to follow in the footsteps of NMS and other MDAs that were already supporting BUBU.
The Buy Uganda Build Uganda came into effect in 2017 to promote consumption of locally produced goods and services with the aim of supporting the local business environment.
