Uganda Manufactures Association wants all government departments and ministries to buy products manufactured in Uganda especially textiles. 

The move will increase the production and consumption of local fabrics and growth of textile industry.

The most produced textile products include school uniforms, socks, t-shirts, among others which manufactures feel should be given priority whenever government is procuring them for different departments.

The call was made by the executive director UMA, Ssebagala Kigozi while visiting textile industries in Jinja who include Sigma and Sunbelt textiles limited in preparation for the forthcoming 22nd International Trade Fair organized by UMA, under the theme Building “Business Partnerships for Sustainable Markets and Competitiveness.” The show started on the 2nd of October 2014 and will run until the 10th of October.

“There is no way you can grow the local capacity in the industrial sector when you are importing everything. Ideally government departments like the Army, Prisons, and Police should buy these socks from the local textile industries because they are of quality compared to those that are imported into the country,” said Ssebaggala.

Sigma Knitting Industries manufacture uniforms and socks while Chinese Sunbelt Textiles Limited are into manufacturing and designing bed sheets and curtains.

He also promised to engage the leaders of the UPDF, Prisons and Police so they can appreciate what is manufactured locally and if possible encourage them to visit the premises so they can consider them in future procurement processes.

“Why import when local industries are producing better quality? This can only happen when the locals cannot produce what the market wants. I plan to set up an appointment with the IGP, Gen. JeJe Odongo from ministry of Defence and Johnson Byabashaija of Prisons so we can help our manufacturers,” he added.

His appeal followed complaints from the managing director of Sigma Knitting, Anant Parmar that government departments continue to import products like socks at a cheaper cost into the country ignoring those made here.

“This has failed our products from penetrating the market because many consumers prefer the imported ones. If there is no one demanding for our products then we cannot keep in the market,” said Parmar.

Parmar explained that since 2009 they have only run the factory to full capacity for only one year because there is no demand.

He adds that he has been further frustrated by the Public Procurement and Disposable Authority that has on several occasions ignored his bids.

“I applied for tenders three times but am not even short listed or even called once so if even the government procurement body cannot see value in the sector how are the other sectors going to compete?”, wondered Parmar.

He added that Uganda should borrow the example from Egypt where investors’ products are promoted by government as their own and even encourage the nationals to consume those that are made in Egypt.