Ugandans urged to create demand for local products abroad

Ugandans in North America under their umbrella body UNAA Causes have organized a Business Expo in Washington DC to focus on Entrepreneurship and growing Uganda's export base by highlighting existing opportunities in North America.

The Expo is part of the Uganda Festival 2018 activities, scheduled to take place at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel in Washington D.C on North America's Labor Day Weekend Holiday (August 30th - September 3rd, 2018). 

UNAA Causes Chairman Mr. James Serumaga reiterated to Daily Monitor their commitment to a results oriented business Conference. He said to effectively grow Uganda's export base, Uganda needs to create demand for local products overseas instead of looking for a ready market. 

 “We have to find a way of penetrating the retail market in the Diaspora for us to effectively market our products. We can't sit back and wait to pitch to Starbucks to carry Ugandan Coffee in its Coffee Shops, we have to find a way of establishing Ugandan Coffee shops in the Diaspora,” he added.

While speaking ahead of the Specialty Coffee Expo in US, which is part of the US government’s ongoing commitment to building trade and investment opportunities in Uganda, Ambassador Deborah R. Malac said Uganda has a story to sell to the United States.

She added that although Uganda is the 8th largest coffee producer in the world and the top African exporter, Uganda’s coffee is relatively unknown in the US. 

“I know the market is increasingly demanding ethically and sustainably-sourced products—and people are willing to pay a premium for them. Whether it’s Fair Trade or organic certified, Uganda has a story to tell—and sell—in the United States,” Ms Malac said.

As part of their start up initiatives, UNAA Causes say they will launch a Ugandan restaurant chain to market Uganda’s coffee and local foods during the Expo.

NBS TVs' Business Perspective presenter, Doreen Komuhang who is one of the moderators of the DC Expo said the initiative is “fantastic and timely” as it comes when Ugandans back home are struggling with unemployment.

“This, I believe will not only increase the country's visibility beyond borders, create more employment opportunities for both Ugandans back home and those abroad in terms of decent jobs for our brothers and sisters in the diaspora but will also walk us towards seeing the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) dream become a reality,” Komuhangi said.

“The Ugandan formal sector in its current form isn’t enough to accommodate all able Ugandans thus an opportunity for Ugandans to build global businesses talk about buying Uganda and building Uganda and increasing Uganda’s exports from the current 1 percent globally,” she added.

UNAA Causes has also allocated resources to promote Uganda's Fashion Industry through the launch of Fashion Weekend in Washington D.C, according to Mr. David Muwanga, UNAA Causes Chief Executive Officer.

“For Uganda to compete abroad we have to improve our image, branding is everything in business. This is in line with our Diaspora Entrepreneurship Club goals and delegates will have an opportunity to participate in our investment projects among other opportunities,” Muwanga said.

Popular designer Santa Anzo of Arapapa Fashion confirmed her participation and she believes this is the time for Ugandan Fashion to return economic gains through marketing abroad.

“The local fashion industry has matured greatly; it is about time that a resident player in the USA like UNAA Causes takes up a role that promises huge economic gains for Uganda in the long run. We needed a platform and l believe UNAA Causes is,” Anzo said.

“A partnership for the promotion of made in Uganda products especially fashionable garments is critical. It should be encouraged,” she added.

The UNAA Causes Business Expo will run two sessions; one on Friday August 31st and the Second on Sunday September 2nd, 2018 at Gaylord Harbour in Washington DC.