Gumisiriza Appointed Museveni's Special Assistant for Informal Sector

President Yoweri Museveni has named Ian Gumisiriza to the newly created position of Special Presidential Assistant on the Informal Sector. This appointment, effective immediately, signals a focused effort by the presidency to engage with and develop Uganda’s large informal economy.

Gumisiriza expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him, stating that for the past decade, he has been developing solutions for informal sector players like market vendors, boda boda riders, and street vendors. He sees this appointment as an opportunity to directly influence policy and implementation, moving beyond just proposing ideas that have often stalled within government ministries.

His primary mandate will involve overseeing the effectiveness of Presidential Revolving Funds designated for the informal sector. The goal is to ensure these funds successfully lift urban poor populations out of poverty and contribute to economic growth.

A key objective for Gumisiriza will be to coordinate efforts across various government agencies to facilitate the formalization of informal businesses. This initiative aims to shrink the size of the informal sector by integrating more businesses into the formal economy.

The informal sector is a cornerstone of Uganda’s economy, employing over 80% of the nation’s workforce. It is also a significant contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounting for approximately 54.5 percent, underscoring its vital importance.

This appointment highlights the government’s recognition of the informal sector’s significant economic impact and the need for dedicated assistance and strategic integration.