The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives has procured and distributed 141 motorcycles to District Commercial Officers (DCOs) in various districts, municipalities, and cities across Uganda.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing commercial service delivery and improving monitoring of government programs at the grassroots level.
While officiating the launch on Friday, 29th August, 2025, the State Minister for Cooperatives Gume Ngobi announced that the ministry aims to improve the mobility and operational efficiency of the DCOs nationwide.
The minister further cautioned the officers to put the motorcycles to proper use by monitoring government programs.
“Do not use these motorcycles to go to bars. Use them properly to deliver commercial services and oversee PDM activities, Emyooga, cooperatives, and other government programs,” Ngobi advised.
The motorcycles will enable DCOs to reach out more effectively to local businesses and markets, supporting trade development and commercial inspection activities crucial for economic growth at the district level.
The distribution took place nationwide, targeting all districts to ensure no area is left undeserved.
The initiative comes at a time when the government has steadily increased funding for commercial services from UGX 2.2 billion in 2020 to UGX 8.87 billion in the current financial year.
Each local government now receives UGX 40 million annually, with seven percent of the funds kept for motorcycle maintenance.
Gabriel Atama, the Chief Administrative Officer of Tororo District and Chairperson of the Chief Administrative Officers of Uganda, welcomed the initiative and urged the government to also provide vehicles to Heads of Commercial Divisions to ease their mobility while monitoring government programs.
“We appreciate the government and the Ministry of Trade for improving the mobility of our commercial officers. We hope that going forward, heads of commercial divisions will also be provided with vehicles,” Atama stated.
Officials stress that providing frontline commercial officers with reliable transport is crucial for boosting service delivery, monitoring government programs, and stimulating local economic growth.
With this initiative, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives seeks to transform rural economies, strengthen local trade, and ensure that communities across Uganda fully benefit from improved commercial services.
