Uganda Small Scale Industries Association (USSIA)

UGANDA SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION (USSIA) Uganda Small Scale Industries Association (USSIA) is a registered membership Non Governmental Organization formed in 1979 with the aim of creating a forum and structures for supporting and enhancing growth in the Small Scale Industrial sector of Uganda. USSIA is therefore a grass root based organization with a branch network of
27 Zone offices spread in 25 districts mainly in the central, southern, western and eastern region.


Our Vision: To be the leading organization in the promotion and development of small scale value addition industries as the engine of growth in Uganda.


Our Mission: To enhance development and competitiveness of micro and small scale industries (MSSI) in Uganda through quality service delivery and advocacy.


Our core values: Respect, Integrity, Transparency, Accountability and Efficiency.

Leadership Structures.
USSIA has functioning leadership structures in 27 Zones that are currently located in
25 political districts in the following locations: Kampala west, Kajjansi, Mpigi, Masaka, Kalangala, Rakai, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Kabale, Kasese, Kabarole, Mubende, Mityana, Luwero, Mukono, Lugazi, Kangulumira, Jinja, Buwenge, Kamuli, Kaliro, Iganga, Bugiri, Busia, Mbale, Buwama and Masindi. A zone is the smallest leadership structure at the grass root making the core membership of USSIA. It is comprised of a minimum of 20 voluntary member manufacturing enterprises in a particular geographic location that agree to constitute themselves into a zone. It is managed by a Zone Executive Committee made up of the Zone Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Women Desk Chairperson and four committee members.
The National Executive Committee oversees the operations of the secretariat on behalf of the board.

The USSIA Secretariat.
The secretariat is the implementing arm of USSIA. It is headed by the Executive Director, with two main sections lead by a Membership Development Officer and a Service Development Officer. USSIA recieved a 1 year (2015-2016) extension partnership with HWK (Chamber of Skilled Crafts and Small Business, cologne- Germany) who are offering financial and technical assistance.

Who is a member of USSIA?
USSIA membership is voluntary and is composed of the Small Scale Industrialists (SSI) that are operating and are legally registered. The Members enterprises are classified in the following 12-USSIA determined industrial categories:

1. Metal Fabrication. 8. Handcrafts

Member benefits / services.
- Access to finance facilitation
- Training & skills development
- Appropriate technology acquisition
- Networking
- Business start-up support
- Business advisory services
2. Foods & Beverages
3. Wood Works 9. Building Materials
10. Information & Communication - Market entry support
- Advocacy for SMEs
4. Textiles & Garments Technology (ICT) - Social support services
5. Leather Work & Leather Crafts 11. Ceramics - Tax and legal services
6. Printing & Graphics 12. Electrical Works and Electronics - International SME & Cottage industry fair
7. Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals & - Workers’ PAS
Herbals