The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) has issued an official statement responding to what it describes as an ongoing malicious smear campaign on social media targeting the institution and its Chairman, Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo.
Signed by Matthew Bagonza, the Head of Secretariat, the statement expresses deep concern over the circulation of falsehoods, distortions, and personal attacks.
While PACEID maintains that it welcomes constructive criticism, informed public debate, and genuine accountability, it emphasizes that these coordinated attacks seem designed to undermine an institution committed to advancing Uganda’s export and industrial growth rather than serve the public interest.
Despite these online distractions, PACEID assures the public that it remains firmly dedicated to its mandate of driving Uganda’s economic transformation through industrialisation, value addition, market access, and export expansion.
The committee highlights that its four-year track record is standard public record, verifiable through government agencies, private sector entities, and stakeholders.
PACEID’s efforts continue to focus on ending “blind trade,” improving product standards and compliance in regional and international markets, negotiating better logistics and transport costs, and providing export firms with low-cost funding options.
Looking ahead, the advisory committee announced its transition into “PACEID 2.0,” a phase aimed at overcoming key bottlenecks such as supply deficits against secured market orders and the continued export of unprocessed products.
This new phase will rely on Regional Aggregation Centres and enhanced data gathering to directly empower local farmers.
Refusing to engage in personal exchanges or retaliatory vilification, PACEID affirmed its commitment to transparency and professionalism, while warning that it reserves the right to seek legal redress against defamatory statements that cross regulatory boundaries.
Expressing gratitude to its partners, exporters, manufacturers, and the Ugandan public, the organisation reaffirmed that it will let its measurable results and integrity speak louder than misinformation.