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Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | On Aug.18, the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Washington, in partnership with US-based facilitator Elaine Robnett Moore launched a six-day training program designed to enhance the skills of 100 Ugandan artisans to explore entry opportunities for their products in the US market.
The initiative was funded through the Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) Fund of the Ugandan Mission to Washington DC, aimed at promoting Uganda’s exports and strengthening international trade ties.
The program equipped artisans producing African crafts and souvenir merchandise with practical skills in product development, finishing techniques, and market alignment to meet international standards.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the initiative is part of Uganda’s broader strategy to expand cultural exports and create sustainable livelihoods for local artisans.
Uganda’s exports to the United States have grown nearly 28-fold between 1996 and 2022, according to data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). From under US$10 million in the late 1990s, exports surged to US$62 million in 2017, before reaching record highs of US$87 million in 2021 and US$89 million in 2022.
Key drivers include coffee, vanilla, and specialty goods, underscoring the potential of Uganda’s high-value products to strengthen trade ties, diversify exports, and fuel economic growth. Expanding artisan crafts into this pipeline represents a new opportunity to create jobs, empower communities, and position Uganda more competitively in the global creative economy.
“Uganda’s crafts represent not only creativity but also identity and opportunity. Through this program, we are positioning our artisans to access new markets, increase their incomes, and showcase Uganda’s cultural heritage on the global stage,” said Benon Kayemba, head of consular services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The six-day program included discovery sessions, product development workshops, and practical training in export standards.
Facilitator Elaine Robnett Moore, an internationally recognized trainer, emphasized the importance of aligning craft products with evolving international markets.
“Ugandan artisans are gifted and their work is unique. This program is about refining what they already do so well, and ensuring that their products can compete on the shelves of global trade hubs,” she said.
