By Fidel Boy Leon
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives has launched the first-ever Regional Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) Trade Show, bringing together local innovators, producers, and manufacturers at Independence Grounds in Mbarara City.
The event, which attracted exhibitors from across western Uganda, covering Ankole, Kigezi, Tooro, Bunyoro, and neighbouring areas, showcased a wide range of locally produced goods and services.
Government agencies that facilitate production and trade, alongside private sector players, also took part.
The trade-show was officiated by the State Minister for Trade, Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who urged producers to prioritize product quality and certification as a prerequisite for accessing larger markets.
“Certification is a key step towards expanding your market reach both domestically and internationally,” Gen. Mbadi said, revealing that government had doubled the budget allocation for the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) this financial year to expand its capacity in supporting manufacturers.
He stressed the importance of decentralizing trade development to ensure regional enterprises receive equal recognition.
“This platform is a celebration of our local producers, and it reflects our commitment to building a self-sustaining economy,” the Minister added.
The Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) policy was launched in 2015 as part of government’s drive to spur industrial growth and reduce reliance on imports. At its core, the policy encourages Ugandans to prioritize locally produced goods and services while positioning Ugandan enterprises to compete more effectively in both domestic and export markets.
Over the past decade, BUBU has gained traction through procurement reforms that compel government institutions to source locally where possible, as well as through targeted support to sectors like agro-processing, textiles, and construction.
Officials say the policy is not just about patriotism in consumption, but also about building a resilient economy that creates jobs and saves foreign exchange.
During the event, Gen. Mbadi unveiled the BUBU Business Directory and Magazine 2025, which will serve as a central reference for both public and private institutions seeking locally produced goods and services.
The new publication is expected to support Uganda’s import substitution and export growth strategy, ensuring that local businesses gain visibility and stronger market positioning.
The Commissioner for Internal Trade, Mr. Zackey Kalega, noted that the regional trade show was designed to close the gap between informal producers and regulatory institutions.
Many local producers face barriers like lack of certification or registration. This forum includes both certified and non-certified exhibitors to encourage peer learning and smoother onboarding into formal systems,” Mr. Kalega explained.
Hosting the inaugural regional trade show in Mbarara was no accident. The city is the commercial heartbeat of western Uganda, strategically positioned to serve the Ankole, Kigezi, Tooro, and Bunyoro sub-regions. The area is known for its strong agricultural base, particularly dairy, bananas, and coffee, alongside a growing industrial and service sector.
By decentralising BUBU activities to Mbarara, the government is signalling a shift towards giving regional enterprises greater visibility and connecting them more directly to national and international markets.
This regional approach is expected to unlock untapped potential in rural-based industries while reducing overreliance on Kampala as the country’s trade nerve centre.
Agencies such as UNBS, Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) were present to guide entrepreneurs on compliance and growth.
Gen. Mbadi further pointed to the success of the BUBU policy since its rollout in 2015. Local product visibility in public procurement and markets has risen from 20 percent in 2015 to 56 percent today, thanks to reforms in procurement systems and industrial support programs.
He encouraged Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in western Uganda to use the trade show as a springboard for growth.
“We want you to scale up your production, formalise your businesses, and position yourselves competitively both within Uganda and across the region,” he said.
The inaugural regional BUBU trade show is part of government’s wider strategy to decentralise trade promotion, create equitable platforms for MSMEs, and strengthen Uganda’s position as a self-sustaining economy.
For local producers in western Uganda, the Mbarara showcase marked not only a new market opportunity but also a symbol of how far the Buy Uganda Build Uganda policy has come, and the potential it holds for the future.