Simba Telecom has joined the Private Sector Foundation Uganda as a member in its core role of crusading for policy advocacy and market competitiveness.

Simba Telecom owned by a city business mogul, Mr Patrick Bitature deals in Nokia accessories in Uganda, East Africa and Africa in general with over 300 employees.

Ms Sarah Nakibuuka PSFU's Public Relations and Communications Officer in a press statement said: Big companies like Simba Telecom coming on board of PSFU brings together a wealth of experience and increase on our membership and this will help use influence policy-making processes that stimulate and spur growth of the private sector. She said by joining PSFU, companies and associations directly benefit from the World Bank/IMF funds available through the Projects managed by PSFU.

These include, Technology Acquisition Fund for exporters, Business Development Services which manages a $70 million competitiveness grant that includes training of associations and individual enterprises, Better Business Behavior Award, Business Plan Competition, BUD-ERT among many others.

Members get an opportunity to get involved in various business foras, sector working groups on policy and other concerns affecting the private sector in addition to getting regular first hand information and business opportunities on the East African Community and other trading blocks in the world, the statement said.

PSFU membership currently stands at 87, most of them drawn from business associations, professional bodies and corporate industry and public sector agencies.Membership of PSFU is open to business associations and organisations registered in Uganda.She said PSFU is also targeting other big companies like MTN Uganda, Shell Uganda, Madhivani Group of Companies, Mukwano, Uganda Telecom and commercial banks.It is also targeting more professional associations, organisations and bodies others, which comprise a big private sector in Uganda.

Uganda