MINISTER BABALANDA HAILS  NEW UPPC MANAGEMENT FOR STABLISING THE CORPORATION,URGES THEM TO MARKET THEIR SERVICES WHILE CELEBRATING 120 YEARS AS A GOVT PRINTER

The Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda  has called on the management of Uganda Printing and publishing Corporation (UPPC) to utilize the on going celebrations to mark 120 of the government printer’s existence -to  showcase what  they are doing, what they are capable of producing and how they are structured to offer the best service to all categories of clients in the market.  

In a speech read for her by Hajji Yunus Kakande -the PS at the Ministry for the Presidency during the launch of a series of activities to mark 120 of UPPC held at Golf Course hotel in Kampala ,Minister Babalanda noted that the celebrations  are very timely, coming at the time when UPPC has just acquired very powerful and versatile equipment  which include among others- the 4-colour printing machine . The Corporation is also in advanced stages to also acquire a 5-color machine. Other old machinery has been repaired or generally replaced.

Balanada said that the new machinery has propelled the UPPC into a world-class printery capable of handling any volume of work and yet maintaining the highest quality of outputs possible on the market.

The minister however regretted to note that  even as the UPPC has brought itself to the highest standard possible in the printer industry; the potential clientele of the UPPC has been slow to respond to the Presidential directive that requires all the MDAs in Uganda to surrender all their printing jobs to the UPPC and the New Vision Printing and Publishing Corporation.

“If the above directive was complied with, the UPPC revenues would be quite high and its subsequent contribution to the national coffers would be handsome, “ the Minister stated adding that  to support the UPPC is to support the growth of the country.

“It is to curtal hemorrhage of foreign exchange through external printing by individuals and local companies; and it is to eventually develop critical infrastructures such as dams, roads, railways and schools and bring down the costs of public services,” she added.

Babalanda appealed  to the managers of Ministries , MDAs and the private sector to consider partnering with the UPPC to get quality printing and publishing work including the more important reason that we now offer a standard, quick and competitive output, probably unmatched in the industry.

She also challenged the management and staff of  UPPC led by Acting MD Mr. Kenneth Geoffrey Oluka – to keep the  flag rising -to maintain in all the corporation’s  business-the values and dignity of the Office of the President under whose docket they  fall.

Speaking at the same occasion , the UPPC Ag.MD Mr. Oluka observed that at 120 years, UPPC is the forerunner of the printing and publishing industry in Uganda and is one of the oldest institutions in this country.

“There is therefore every reason to celebrate this milestone because it is no mean achievement,” he said adding that  UPPC’s success lies in the uniqueness of its mandate of security printing, and the corporation’s ability to deliver on it effectively.

Throughout the 120 years, Oluka said  the Government Printer has contributed immensely to the printing of Uganda’s history- by printing laws,the gazette  and  other historical documents.” To preserve this history better and make it more easily accessible, we are in the process of digitizing the vast amount of information and documents in our stores, “ Oluka told a well attended event.

He said that ; “ We want to build a national archive. We are also expanding our national reach by opening outlets in the regions.”

Oluka said that  as the Corporation -celebrates 120 years- they are  going to hold several activities including; publishing a souvenir Magazine (The Printer), a walk, exhibitions, hosting technical institutions students and acquaint them with printing technologies – equipment and machinery. “We want our learners to have the practical bit from the corporation.”

Among their ambitious plans including the setting up of a printing school next year -to skill Ugandans especially the youth.

Oluka request to have a special session in parliament to recognise the work of the Government Printer over the years.