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UMA Launches 31st Uganda International Trade Fair
By Naome Namusoke/KMA updates
Manufacturing Sector Recognized as Key Economic Driver
The Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) has officially launched the 31st Uganda International Trade Fair, scheduled to take place from October 2 to 12, 2025, at the UMA Showgrounds in Lugogo, Kampala. This year’s event comes at a time when Uganda’s manufacturing sector is being celebrated as one of the major contributors to national growth — alongside agriculture and tourism.
According to recent statistics, the manufacturing industry contributes 15.7% to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generates 30.3% of the national tax revenue. It also provides direct employment to over 2 million Ugandans, making it a vital pillar in the country’s pursuit of industrialization, job creation, and economic transformation.
Due to the sector’s ongoing growth and importance, UMA organizes an annual international trade fair that offers a platform for local and international manufacturers to exhibit products, share ideas, and form partnerships.
Speaking during the launch, Eddie Ssenkumba, the Vice Chairman of UMA, has revealed that the 2025 edition is expected to attract more than 1,500 exhibitors from across the globe, including China, India, South Africa, the UAE, and Turkey.
“This year’s trade fair will be one of the biggest we’ve hosted, with an anticipated 1,500 exhibitors and thousands of visitors from Uganda and beyond. It is a platform for innovation, networking, and showcasing what Uganda’s manufacturing industry has to offer,” said Ssenkumba.
UMA board members have emphasized that the 31st edition of the fair will feature modern technology and digital tools, such as a digital map to help guide visitors, and an enhanced education pavilion aimed at promoting industrial knowledge, especially among students and young innovators.
In line with global trends, UMA is also exploring strategies to encourage the development of industries that reduce environmental harm, aligning with Uganda’s sustainability goals.
“This year, we want to make the fair more interactive and responsible by adopting green technologies and better education tools. The future of manufacturing is both smart and sustainable,” noted a UMA board member.
While the manufacturing sector continues to grow, UMA’s Executive Director, Ezra Rubanda Muhumuza, has noted that some challenges still exist — the most pressing being the volatile exchange rate, which affects the cost of imported raw materials and machinery.
“Yes, the sector is growing, but we are dealing with unpredictable exchange rates. We are engaging stakeholders to stabilize the business environment and support manufacturers to remain competitive,” Muhumuza explained
The 2025 Uganda International Trade Fair will be held under the theme:
“Sustainable Industrialization for Inclusive Growth, Employment and Wealth Creation.”The event is expected to draw over 30,000 visitors including business leaders, investors, students, policymakers, and members of the public.
With the manufacturing sector driving economic progress and offering increasing employment opportunities, this year’s trade fair is poised to reflect not just Uganda’s potential but its readiness to lead in industrial innovation across the region.