Aspiring Chairperson for the NRM National Entrepreneurs League, Sanjay Tanna, has unveiled a comprehensive ten-point manifesto aimed at transforming entrepreneurship within the party and elevating the voices of business leaders across Uganda.

Tanna presented the manifesto during a meeting with delegates from the Teso sub-region on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

The meeting, held in Soroti City, attracted delegates from several districts, including Kumi, Soroti, Bukedea, and Amuria.

A seasoned businessman and two-time former Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality, Tanna emphasized that entrepreneurs are a key pillar of Uganda’s economy yet remain underrepresented in the country’s political and policy structures.

“I am not here with handouts; I am here with a plan,” he told the delegates. “For over ten years, this league has operated without a proper database of its members. How can we serve people we don’t officially know?”

Tanna warned delegates against the growing trend of transactional politics in the race for leadership of the Entrepreneurs League. He criticized some of his opponents for allegedly distributing money to influence voting decisions.

“Some candidates are giving up to Shs1.5 million per delegate and have met you several times. In total, that’s around Shs3 million per person. If you break that down, it’s barely Shs2,000 per day not even enough for tea and chapati. Is your business voice worth that little?” he asked.

Tanna questioned the motivation of those spending substantial sums on a position that offers no salary, arguing that such investments point to ulterior motives rather than a genuine commitment to empowering entrepreneurs.

Citing the structured and well-funded status of other interest groups such as youth, women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and veterans, Tanna expressed disappointment that entrepreneurs despite contributing significantly to the economy have remained marginalized.

“All other special interest leagues have secretariats, representation in Parliament, and government funding. The Entrepreneurs League, which has 800 delegates, has none of that,” he noted.

He pledged to lobby the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) and relevant government ministries to establish permanent structures for the Entrepreneurs League, including a national secretariat, advisory councils, and dedicated programs for enterprise development.

Tanna pledged to create a nationwide registry to facilitate planning, training, and resource allocation, and introduce programs to equip entrepreneurs with business skills, tax compliance knowledge, and record-keeping.

He further put emphasis to promote regional enterprise by supporting the processing of local products such as cassava, coffee, oranges, milk, and potatoes, establish trade centers and connect local producers to global markets and develop a national network for knowledge sharing, bulk purchasing, and regional business partnerships.

According Tanna, he will advocate for inclusion of entrepreneurs in development plans and access to public financing schemes, and push for legislative representation and formal recognition of entrepreneurs as a critical constituency within the NRM.

He said once elected, he will put emphasis on financial Literacy & Bookkeeping Training: Emphasis on basic business skills, tax compliance, and record-keeping for profitability and formalization.

Most importantly, Tanna emphasizes promotion of Musevenomics that has seen a turn-around in Uganda’s economy from net importer of most consumer products to now a net exporter of milk, electricity, sugar etc.

Musevenomics is Uganda’s homegrown economic ideology championed by President Yoweri Museveni rotating on strategies of wealth creation.

Tanna shares a series of innovative proposals aligned with the Musevenomics agenda. These include initiatives in apiary, with a focus not only on honey production but also on the commercial potential of by-products such as beeswax, propolis, and bee venom.

He also proposed scaling up activities in fish farming, poultry, shea butter and cocoa butter extraction, aloe vera cultivation, and luffa sponge production, as well as fruit processing for value addition.

Tanna cited his long-standing service within the ruling party and national government, including his two terms in Parliament, roles in the Office of the President, and service at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). He also highlighted his participation in programs such as NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, and the Parish Development Model.

“I am not a visitor to the system. I helped build it. And now I want to help you use it,” he said.

His campaign, he noted, is focused on long-term reform rather than short-term political gain. He called on delegates to make a strategic choice that goes beyond financial inducements.

“Entrepreneurship is not just about trade. It’s about dignity, employment, innovation, and national self-reliance,” he concluded.

The election for the NRM Entrepreneurs League leadership is expected to be held later this year as the party moves to revamp its internal structures ahead of the 2026 general elections.