Following the death of Ugandan businessman Apollo Nyegamehe (popularly known as Aponye) in 2023, President Yoweri Museveni has instructed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to lead a coordinated government response aimed at salvaging his financially distressed business empire.
In a directive dated April 28, 2025, Museveni responded to an appeal from Ms Vangi Nyegamehe, a shareholder in Aponye (U) Ltd, highlighting the company’s escalating debts and operational decline. The President directed the Prime Minister to work with the Ministries of Finance and Science and Innovation to develop a financial recovery plan.
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Aponye (U) Ltd, once a cornerstone of Uganda’s indigenous private sector, played a vital role in national food supply chains and humanitarian efforts, employing hundreds and contributing to agro-processing, logistics, and real estate. However, after the founder’s sudden death in a road crash along the Kabale-Katuna highway, the company has been facing severe financial strain, risking collapse.
The President’s letter, which was copied to key ministries and government bodies, reflects Uganda’s broader policy of supporting strategic private enterprises critical to national development. In the past, the government has extended similar support to companies like ROKO Construction and Atiak Sugar Factory, although such bailouts have also raised questions about fairness and transparency.
Critics have noted inconsistencies in how these interventions are applied, pointing to cases like the Sembule Group, which collapsed despite appeals for support. Economists argue that a more transparent, criteria-based bailout framework is necessary to avoid perceptions of favoritism.
Nevertheless, for Aponye’s family and employees, Museveni’s directive represents a chance for recovery. The government’s next steps—whether through financial injections, tax relief, or restructuring—will be closely watched as a reflection of Uganda’s evolving approach to industrial rescue and private sector stability.
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