The 30th Uganda International Trade Fair 2024, unveiled

27 September 2024, 12:29 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Each year, Uganda holds the International Trade Fair at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) Show Grounds at Lugogo, Kampala district under various themes. However, this year’s trade fair is expected to be more colorful than past events, according to the organisers, and will be held under the theme, “Celebrating 30 Years of Industrial Excellence.”

While addressing the media at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, the Chairman of the Uganda Manufacturers Association, Deo Kayemba, stated that over the past three decades, the Uganda International Trade Fair has been a cornerstone of industrial growth, economic development, and international collaboration. Since its inception, the fair has expanded from a modest exhibition to East Africa’s premier business development platform, attracting over 1,360 exhibitors from across the globe including countries like China, Egypt, India, Kenya, South Africa, Turkey, the UAE, and many more.

Kayemba highlighted some of the achievements they have made over the years. “Today, the manufacturing sector stands a powerhouse contributing 15.7% to Uganda’s GDP, 30.3% of the nation’s tax revenue, and employing over 2 million people. With manufacturing driving 70% of the country’s electricity consumption, this sector has evolved into the largest single contributing sub-sector of the economy.

He added that from nurturing startups to facilitating the expansion of established brands, the trade fair has provided a launching pad for business to reach national, regional, and global markets. UMA itself has grown from a small group of manufacturers into a robust body representing over 11 platforms and 26 diverse sectors, ranging from agriculture to textiles, construction, technology and others. Over the years, the fair has attracted an average of 300,000 visitors annually.

The key highlights of the trade fair include: (a) Women, agriculture and education pavilions. (b) Agricultural pavilion: Dedicated to enhancing the skills of farmers, SACCOs and cooperatives and will focus on training in value addition and agro-processing. Uganda’s 33,000 SACCOs and cooperatives form the backbone of rural economy. (c) Revamped business matchmaking program: This fair will feature an enhanced business matchmaking program. (d) Job link desk: Responding to the industry’s need for skilled labour. The job link desk will bridge the gap between job seekers and manufacturers.

Minister of state for trade industry and cooperatives, Hon. David Bahati, thanked the UMA chairman and the partners for their efforts in employing Ugandans. Addressing the challenges facing manufactures, the minister stated that the long-term solution for issues like sugar production is value addition, specifically the manufacture industrial sugar. “For Kenya we have a meeting with our counterpart of East Africa to resolve the outstanding issues and when resolved we shall come back and inform the public” he said. President Museveni and his wife Ms. Janet Museveni are expected to attend the trade fair that will run from 2nd to 10th of October 2024.