Kampala — Picfare Uganda Limited, a scholastic and personal care manufacturer won a platinum award for overall best exporting company, as British American Tobacco scooped a Diamond award for best export revenue earner for the year 2007.

This was at a colourful 9th President's Export Award ceremony, which was graced by President Y K Museveni, held on October 3 at Imperial Royale Hotel.

Bestowing the validation of the country's performance, the Executive Director UEPB, Ms Florence Kata, said; "In 2007 for which this particular event is being organized, the export sector experienced formidable growth of 39 per cent. Total goods and services exports earnings were $3.4 billion up from $2.1 billion in 2006".

However Kata said; "Despite the growth, the country is still faced with the challenge of a $5.5 billion import bill bringing about a $2.1billion. Need to double our efforts".

In his remarks about the performance President Museveni begged the investors not to leave Uganda because government has started addressing all the major constraints like energy, roads and railways that have brought about a high cost of doing business in the country.

"Don't worry about power, we are about to solve it. Don't go away when things are going to improve because Uganda is going to be a low cost effective country. Very soon power tariffs will go down, so please you are in the right place, you only need to be a little patient soon you will make good money," Museveni said.

In the 2008/9 budget the government promised to embark on solving the power problem at which it earmarked $700 million energy fund and $1.1 billion to cater for roads. Meanwhile Bujagali will be up and running by 2011 and soon Karuma development will commence.

Commenting on the high fuel prices, Mr Museveni said this will soon be history, as Uganda is soon starting exploration of oil which was recently discovered in the South West and around Lake Albert. "The $0.5 billion import bill the country spends on importing oil will be saved. However people should not jubilate thinking the oil will be free of charge. You will be buying at the same international market rating but in local shilling," Mr Museveni said.

He challenged the business community to stop complaining about Uganda being landlocked, when it's surrounded by millions of people from the neighbouring countries who they can export their products too. "Uganda is well locked, the country being land locked is not a serious issue because we surrounded by a big population, which needs the commodities, supply them with goods for export," Museveni said.

Picfare Uganda Limited excelled as overall winner due to its tremendous contribution to the education sector development in the region, its role towards the corporate social responsibility among others. The company also surpassed the $3 billion threshold export earning mark by $1.2 million to qualify for the award.

For the second year as a Presidential special request to honour the best foreign exchange earner of the year with a Diamond award, BAT Uganda to qualify for this award exported leaf tobacco worth $60 million in the overall exports.

Gold awards were given to best performers in the different sectors, while silver and bronze went to the first and second runners' ups respectively. Over 20 gold awards were given to different sectors among which included; Ugacof (Coffee), James Finlays (Tea), Uvan Uganda Limited (Spices) Roofings Uganda Limited (Metal), Tororo Cement (Cement), Britania Allied (Confectionary), Nile Breweries (Beers and Spirits), Wagagai (Flower Cuttings and Pottery), Uganda Fish Packers Ltd (Fish Oils), Esco Uganda (Cocoa) and Mega Industries (Mattresses).

Others were Mukwano Industries (Soaps), Bidco (Vegetable and Animal Oils), Sadolin (Paints), Phoenix Logistics (Personal Care Products) Rwenzori Beverages (Non Alcoholic drinks) and Sky Fat Tannery (Hides and Skin) among others.

Siver awards went to Kyagalanyi Coffee (coffee), Hima Cement (Environment concern) Dunavant Uganda Limited (Cotton), Uganda Tea Development Agency (Tea), Leaf Tobacco (Tobacco), Rose Bud (Flowers), and Amfri Farms Fruits and Vegetables among others. Bronze went to Kawacom Uganda limited, Figuga Uganda Limited (Flowers) and Crest Tank Ltd (Plastics) among others.