The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities (MTWA), with support from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) is organizing the Handcraft Expo 2022, scheduled for November 24th to 26th, 2022 at the Uganda Museum, Kamwokya.
The ultimate focus of this year’s Expo is to help to create and increase value addition, improve the quality of handicraft and souvenir products and increase their demand in both the domestic and international markets according to the Ministry.
The theme for this year’s Expo is ‘Rethinking Tourism through Culture and Creative Hands’ and will be graced by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of Uganda, Nabbanja Robinah, as the Chief Guest at the opening Ceremony.
According to the Ministry, the Expo will present a rare opportunity for the people involved in the Handcraft and souvenir subsector meet new clients, network, and discuss business opportunities with potential local and regional purchasers and other stakeholders, including service providers along the sector’s value chain.
Ms. Doreen Silver Katusiime, the Permanent Secretary of MTWA said that this is the first time in the history of Uganda that a handicrafts and souvenirs Expo is being organized at national level.
“This is important for Tourism and the host communities in Uganda because every time tourists (Local and International) visit them, they buy and come back with a souvenir or handicrafts products, they provide some income of the producers and sellers of those products,” Katusiime added.
During the Expo, the general public will attest to the authenticity of a variety of products made in Uganda, including mats, bags, wood carvings, ceramics, jewelry, fashion accessories, textiles, cow horn products, leather products, music instruments, baskets, bark cloths products, coffee, leather products, horticulture, and Tourism, among others, produced by Ugandan Artisans.
“This Expo, provides them an opportunity to showcase their products to public and to the police makes to identify the necessary support required to develop and market their products,” she said.
The Expo is expected to attract participation from more than 100 companies from all over Uganda, all of which will display only local products and over 10,000 people are expected to visit the exhibition as either buyer, trade visitors from businesses like hotels, restaurants, and private firms as well as exporters and promoters.
Katusiime revealed that the Expo will bring together stakeholders in the handicraft and souvenir sector, including service providers along the sector value chain, which will present a unique opportunity for them to meet new clients network and discuss business deals with potential domestic and regional buyers.
Additionally, Uganda will use the Expo to promote investor inflows, reveal the numerous tourism potentials, and present investment opportunities under the tourism sector.
