As part of the implementation of the Buy Uganda Build Uganda policy, the government of Uganda through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives has organized a campaign to promote locally made products in Western Uganda.

The campaign started with the mobilization of local processors, manufacturers and commercial farmers from western Uganda including Tooro, Rwenzori, Kigezi, Ankole and Bunyoro regions with a call to take advantage of Government’s deliberate effort to support local producers and service suppliers with a view of increasing the domestic market share of their products.

During the mobilization meetings held between11th to 15^th July 2025 in Mbarara City, Bushenyi, Kasese, Kabale, Fort Portal, Masindi and Hoima, the Senior Commercial officer and BUBU desk officer at the ministry of Trade James Makula told local producers and service suppliers in the region that government is committed to support them dominate the domestic market, however, the challenge has been low production by the local producers, failure by some local products to conform to quality standards and the negative mindset by some Ugandans that local products were unavailable and of poor quality.

He however, noted that, since government and stakeholders started implementing the BUBU policy in 2017, there has been a great improvement in the consumption trends of Ugandans with more preference given to locally made products, especially in the sectors where quality products are readily available and can sustainably be supplied by local producers (Uganda-based).

“Over the years, we have observed a change in the choices of Ugandan consumers with many preferring locally made products especially in the area of furniture, leather and leather products, iron and steel products, construction materials, cement, food and beverages, electric cables and conductors, pharmaceuticals among others”, explained Makula.

He said this change is also attributed to a deliberate effort by government and partners to build the capacity of the local private sector especially in the area of conformity to quality standards.

In addition to mobilizing the local producers and service suppliers, the ministry of trade has organized a regional BUBU expo where local processors, manufactures and commercial farmers will be given a platform to showcase the products to the general public. According to Makula, this expo is the first of its kind to be organized outside Kampala with the aim of promoting the products made within the Western region to increase their domestic market share.

“We have a number of processors and manufacturers in the western region, and this expo is intended to give them a platform to showcase what they produce, and make their products known to the local consumers”, said Makula