Kampala, Uganda – Uganda's largest business exhibition, the 31st Uganda International Trade Fair (UITF), has returned with a bold redesign one that shifts the spotlight from sheer scale to substance, inclusion, and meaningful commercial connections. Under the theme “Driving manufacturing and trade through innovation and technology,” this year’s fair has been thoughtfully restructured to align Uganda’s small-scale innovators with real buyers and industry support.
Organized annually by the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), the trade fair has long been a platform for businesses to showcase products, network with potential partners, and expand market reach. But in past years, critics noted that the event often favored large, well-funded exhibitors while leaving many home-grown innovators on the periphery. This year, the organizers have responded.
The 2025 edition introduces a supermarket-style showcase a departure from traditional exhibitor booths featuring hundreds of locally made products arranged in an easy-to-navigate “Made in Uganda” section. The goal: to create visibility and accessibility for small producers, many of whom have high-potential products but lack the resources or networks to penetrate broader markets.
“This isn’t just a trade show. It’s a statement that Uganda’s future lies in innovation and local production,” said Eddy Ssenkumba, chairperson of the organizing committee. “We wanted to ensure that even the smallest producers have a platform that elevates their work and connects them directly to buyers.”
One of the fair’s standout features is the Innovation Supermarket, an initiative by the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat (STI). This space curates a wide range of Ugandan-made goods from herbal cosmetics and processed foods to locally designed tech solutions arranged not by company but by category. This eliminates the high costs typically associated with individual booths and gives participants a level playing field.
According to Dr. Ezra Muhumuza, Executive Director of UMA, the traditional trade fair model did not always work for emerging businesses. “You’d find extremely talented innovators who could barely afford a branded tent, let alone marketing materials,” he said. “By showcasing their work in a common space and offering support services right there, we are turning the fair into a launching pad for local enterprise.”
The supermarket concept is also backed by an advisory desk where exhibitors receive expert support on branding, quality improvement, packaging, and connecting to buyers post-fair. Cathy Muwumuza, Superintendent of Support Services at STI, noted that the platform isn’t just about exposure it’s about preparing innovators for long-term market success. “Some of these products are ready to scale. Others need guidance. We are here to help them take that next step,” she said.
Beyond the supermarket, the reimagined trade fair includes new features such as international exhibitor zones, knowledge-sharing platforms, and mentorship sessions designed to empower businesses with practical tools for growth. Organisers have also streamlined navigation with a redesigned floor plan, helping visitors engage more intentionally with exhibitors of interest.
International participation is also growing. Delegates and exhibitors from countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, India, China, and the UAE are in attendance, reflecting the event’s growing regional significance. These cross-border connections are especially valuable in light of Uganda’s growing role in the East African trade and manufacturing space.
For visitors, the fair offers not only a chance to discover Ugandan innovations but also to support them. Products on display range from affordable organic skincare brands to modular furniture made from recycled materials, all tailored to local needs and contexts.
Small-scale exhibitors like Grace Namukasa, a herbal soap maker from Mukono, shared their optimism. “In past years, I couldn't afford to participate, but now my products are on display next to more established brands. People are stopping to ask, and some are placing orders. It’s a breakthrough for me,” she said.
The shift in focus comes at a critical time. As Uganda pushes forward with its industrialization agenda and seeks to expand its export base, platforms like the UMA Trade Fair are becoming more than just exhibitions they’re catalysts for inclusive growth. Organizers hope the redesigned format will foster sustained interest in local innovation and drive deeper connections between producers, investors, and policy makers.
With the fair set to continue attracting thousands of visitors in the coming days, the message is clear: Uganda’s future is being built by its innovators and this year, they’re not standing at the margins.