The Minister of State for Trade Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi has urged local manufacturers
and producers to prioritize quality branding and packaging to effectively position themselves in
the competitive market both domestically and internationally.

Mbadi was officiating at the closing ceremony of the 3 days’ masterclass training in packaging
technology organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives in partnership with the
Institute of Packaging Partners of Uganda (IPPU) and the World Packaging Organisation,
supported by the International Trade Center and the United Nations Industrial Development
Organisation (UNIDO).

In his remarks, Gen. Mbadi noted that good packaging is key to accessing markets for products
and together with product quality, it plays even a bigger role in sustaining the markets.
“Packaging is no longer a mere afterthought in value addition. It is a decisive factor in market
competitiveness, food safety, environmental sustainability, and consumer trust”, said Mbadi
He emphasized that good packaging must create premium perception in the marketplace. “Your
packaging needs to stand out from your competitors. It should make customers think high-end
premium products”, said Mbadi

He challenged the participants to elevate local products to compete with international brands
currently dominating Ugandan markets.

“We are currently running the Buy Uganda Build Uganda campaign that aims at promoting local
produced goods and services. However, without good packaging and proper branding of these
products, this campaign will not yield much”, intimated Mbadi

He added that government of Uganda has made strides in improving the packaging sector
through the formation of the Institute of Packaging Partners of Uganda in 2023 which brings
together packaging professionals, manufacturers, processors, traders, policy institutions and
academia. The institute is charged with promoting high standards and professionalism, building
local capacity and strengthening Uganda’s packaging value chain.

He added that the masterclass training in packaging technology was timely, organized when
Uganda has just acquired the country barcode for her products and is currently working on the
marketing and branding strategy. He said the masterclass training is part of Uganda’s journey to
improving the packaging sector.

“The journey of improving Uganda’s packaging sector is not a sprint, but a continuous process
that requires investment, technological innovation, collaboration, and policy support. With the
momentum built here, I am confident that we are on the right path”, said Mbadi

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He urged the participants to take the lessons learned during the training and apply them in their
industries, cooperatives, SMEs, and enterprises, and be the spark that drives product excellence,
export readiness, and industrial competitiveness. “What you have learned her should spark
innovation and drive product excellence, export readiness and competitiveness as we pursue our
critical policies of import substitution and export promotion.”

The outgoing President of the World Packaging Organisation and main facilitator during the
masterclass training Prof. Pierre Pienaar noted that WPO will continue to work with Uganda to
improve the packaging sector and position Uganda as a regional leader in packaging excellence
and manufacturing competitiveness.

Prof. Charles Muyanja, the Chairperson of IPPU assured the participants that this masterclass
marks the beginning of Uganda’s packaging transformation. He said plans are underway for
more specialized training programs focusing on specific technical aspects of packaging
technology and handling specific value chains.

The training which took place at Protea Hotel from 5 th to 7 th August brought together
stakeholders in the packaging Sector including manufacturers, producers of packaging materials,
graphic designers, development partners, government Ministries, Departments and Agencies
among others. It was organized under the theme ‘Enhancing Value Addition, market access and
sustainable industrialization’

Uganda is one of the three African countries selected to host the masterclass training in
packaging technology in Africa. Others are Tanzania and Morocco.
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