By Our Reporter
From November 24 – 26, 2022, the Uganda Museum will play host to the Handcraft Expo 2022, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities (MTWA) with support from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF).
The theme for this year’s Expo is “Rethinking Tourism through Culture and Creative Hands,” and the Prime Minister of Uganda, the Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah, will officiate as the Chief Guest during the opening ceremony for the Uganda Handcrafts Expo 2022.
The Expo will present a rare opportunity to for the people involved in the business to meet new clients, network, and discuss business opportunities with potential local and regional purchasers as stakeholders in the handicraft and souvenir sector come together, including service providers along the sector’s value chain.
Doreen S. Katusiime, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, said in her remarks that for the first time, we have an Expo that is aimed at those who work in handicrafts and souvenirs.
“This is important for tourism and the host communities,” she continues, “because every time someone travels, they want to bring back a souvenir or handcraft from their trip to remind them of the places they have visited, and in the process, they buy some crafts and souvenirs, which increases the incomes of the producers and sellers.”
“The majority of those participating are young men and women, and through this Expo, among other things, we want to see their products and the support they require,” she adds. “We look forward to growing Uganda’s handicraft and souvenir sectors because the country has abundant mineral resources, including clay, which is used to make ceramics.”
The handcraft and souvenir development project (HSDP) is funded by the enhanced integrated framework (EIF) and implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities.
The ultimate focus of this year’s Expo is to assist the creation of useful goods that are in demand on both the domestic and international markets. As well, the diversification of products, increased value addition, quality improvement, and market knowledge will all be highlighted in interventions.
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, jewellery, fashion accessories, textiles, cow horn products, leather products, music instruments, baskets, bark cloth products, coffee, leather products, horticulture, and tourism, among others, and produced in particular by Ugandan artisans.
This year’s Expo will also feature participation from more than 100 companies from all over Uganda, all of which will display only local products.
The Expo will give producers the best chance to present their goods, create awareness of the various crafts and souvenirs produced in the country, and create linkages with new clients like exporters, mass producers, training facilities, the hospitality industry, and interior decorators, among others.
The Uganda Handicrafts Expo 2022 will feature several activities including symposiums, exhibitions, contests, and events focused on design, among others.