Packaging-Edge and Facelift: Tale of How Uganda Continues to Strengthen Position Globally in Packaging Industry after an International Summit in India

By Nicholas Sentongo

The Institute of Packaging Partners of Uganda (IPPU) and the Ugandan Ministry of Trade (MOD) are making significant strides in positioning Uganda on the global stage within the packaging industry. Recently, the Government of India and the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) extended an invitation to Uganda’s representatives to attend the International Summit for the Packaging Industry in New Delhi, India.

The summit also marked the launch of a new, cutting-edge course, the Advanced Course in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Packaging. At the summit, I had the privilege of engaging with key industry leaders and experts from both academia and the private sector. These discussions focused on the latest innovations and technological advancements within the packaging industry, where the central theme emerged: the future of packaging is centered on the 5S – Safe, Secure, Standardized, Smart, and Sustainable. His Excellency Shri Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for the Ministry of Corporate Affairs of the Republic of India, emphasized that the global packaging industry is increasingly focused on developing solutions that meet these five critical criteria. Among these, “Sustainable” packaging is the industry’s current buzzword.

With governments and packaging companies around the world investing heavily in these sustainable solutions, both now and in the coming years, the IPPU and the Ministry of Trade are committed to ensuring that Uganda remains a significant player in the global packaging industry. A key aspect of the future of packaging is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). These technologies are poised to play a pivotal role in driving the industry toward achieving the 5S goals. The launch of the Advanced Course in AI and ML in Packaging by the Indian Institute of Packaging places India at the forefront of these innovations, and through the collaboration between the IPPU, the Indian Institute of Packaging, and the Ministry of Trade, Uganda is poised to stay ahead of the curve in these global industry trends.

During our visit to India, we had the opportunity to tour some of the leading packaging companies, such as AG Synergy Pvt. Ltd., which is pioneering the use of AI and ML in their manufacturing processes. Their fully automated systems are cutting waste, enhancing quality, improving machine maintenance, and speeding up product delivery. While automation has resulted in job losses in some areas, AI and ML have simultaneously created new roles in the industry, roles that were previously unimaginable.

The Indian Institute of Packaging, established by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India 60 years ago, has played a crucial role in transforming India’s packaging industry into the fifth largest in the world, valued at $223 billion in 2024. Their mandate is to improve packaging standards, promote exports, and enhance infrastructure to support the overall advancement of the packaging sector. India’s success serves as a model for Uganda as we work toward strengthening our own packaging industry.

The collaboration between Uganda and India is set to further elevate Uganda’s packaging sector. By emulating the work done by the Indian Institute of Packaging, Uganda aims to transform its packaging industry into a key player on the global stage. On behalf of the Ministry of Trade and the Institute of Packaging Partners of Uganda, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our hosts at the Indian Institute of Packaging in New Delhi, led by Dr. Tanweer Alam, and Dr. Kishan Singh from the World Packaging Organization. Their hospitality and support have been invaluable, and we are eager to build on the strong foundation of partnership that we have established. The future of packaging in both Uganda and India is bright, and together, we will continue to push the boundaries of innovation in this vital sector.

The writer is a Member Board of Directors, Institute of Packaging Partners of Uganda