Thousands of local and international manufacturers, traders and distributors from various sectors have converged for the annual Uganda Manufacturers Association Trade Expo which started on Monday at Lugogo at UMA exhibition grounds in Kampala.
The theme of the trade fair according to organizers is “Business recovery by harnessing local sourcing and deepening value chain integration”
This will be the 28th Uganda International Trade Fair (UGFT) and it will take place for the first time after 2 years, following disruptions of COVID-19 pandemic.
The organizers say, this year, the Trade Fair is expected to attract an average of 300,000 visitors, including high profile individuals such as Heads of State, Politicians, Executives and celebrities.
The Uganda Police have said that although there are no specific threats directed towards the event, it can however, be a magnet for serious security concerns and reassured the organizers and the public that security and safety at the Trade Fair is guaranteed.
The Expo will end on 10th October 2022 and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to be the Guest of Honor at the closing ceremony.
It is one of the biggest calendar events in which manufacturers showcase their goods and services to more than 300,000 people from within and beyond Uganda who visit the UMA show ground in Lugogo, Kampala.
A number of companies have leveraged on the trade fair over the years to enhance their product category graduating from startups to large companies.
Mr Daniel Birungi, the UMA executive director, said the theme seeks to cast a spotlight on industrialists, who, even as they have been impacted by Covid-19, have exhibited resilience and progressive recovery.
“This theme doubles as a call to the government and the general public to support local companies as a catalyst for full economic recovery,” he said.
UMA also noted that such trade fairs are one of the ways through which Uganda can expand its industrial capacity to create employment and expand government revenues.
