EnterUganda Business

. Kampala, Uganda.

The Uganda Manufacturers Association Show Grounds

The Uganda Manufacturers Association has successfully organized trade fairs since 1989. The first Trade Fairs, held from 1989-1992, were National Trade Fairs with the focus of producing more and industrializing Uganda by mobilizing the industrial sector to meet the existing manufacturing opportunities and challenges.

The main objective of the 1989 Trade Fair was to facilitate the display of what existed in the country in the manufacturing and service sectors and to reflect upon the existing installed capacity and its utilization under the theme, 'Produce More and Buy Local." The 1990 Trade Fair theme on the other hand, was a reflection on the prevailing economic situation and aspirations in Uganda in light of the worsening turn on the marketing of agricultural and unprocessed commodities.

The theme appealed to Ugandans to produce exportable commodities in order to improve on the country's foreign earning capacity. The 1992 theme, "Industrialize Uganda" was in conformity with the pursuance of the policy guideline of establishing an independent, integrated and self- sustaining economy.

With the growth of the Trade Fairs, there was an urgent need to own a permanent Show ground to enable the Association to organize regular trade fairs, expand existing markets and to seek new ones for its members, in addition to avoiding the exorbitant costs involved in putting up temporary structures each year. The Association then embarked on seeking public land for the construction of the Show grounds. His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda laid the foundation stone for the construction of the UMA Lugogo Show Grounds on July 30 1992 at its 7.83 hectares newly acquired land in the former Coronation Park.

The first Uganda International Trade Fair was held in 1993 at the Uganda Manufacturers Association's permanent Show Grounds. The Trade Fair focused on the Preferential Trade Area of Eastern and Southern Africa with its market of over 240 million people with the aim of promoting regional trade. The Trade Fair attracted companies from Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, United Kingdom and Uganda.

Since then the Uganda International Trade Fair has become an annual event and has grown steadily from 220 exhibitors from 8 countries in 1993 to 460 exhibitors from 26 countries in 2000. The Trade Fair has provided a unique gateway to the Uganda market and the region and has offered foreign exhibitors with opportunities for the transfer of technologies to Uganda and investment in diverse fields. The scope of participation profile has grown, covering all aspects of industry, trade, agriculture and technology innovations. The Association has also continued to invest substantial resources in improving the Show Grounds with the aim of bringing them to international standards. An ultra modern Conference Hall has been built to meet the growing needs for first class meeting facilities. In 1999, the Association made tremendous efforts to the improvement of the drainage system and the work was successfully completed.

In order to facilitate the setting up of joint ventures and business collaboration, the Association has since 1995 set aside two business/trade days during the fairs for business visitors and partners. These days have created a conducive environment for business discussions and have enabled exhibitors to conclude meaningful business transactions.

The increasing profile of the International Trade Fair in the region is a clear recognition of its role in providing an appropriate platform for business exchange and partnership among local and international business players. It is also a clear endorsement of the macro economic policies of the Uganda government. In the new millennium, the Association and the Trade Fair Organizing Committee in particular, plan to build the Uganda International Trade Fair to even greater heights.