KAMPALA — The Embassy of Uganda in Washington, in collaboration with US-based facilitator Elaine Robnett Moore, has launched a six-day training program aimed at empowering 100 Ugandan artisans to tap into opportunities in the American market.
The program, running from 18th to 23rd August in Kampala, is financed through the Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) Fund of Uganda’s Mission in Washington, DC. Its goal is to promote Uganda’s exports and strengthen trade relations with the United States.
The training will equip artisans—specializing in African crafts and souvenir products—with hands-on skills in product development, finishing, and market alignment to meet international standards. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that this is part of Uganda’s broader strategy to boost cultural exports and create sustainable livelihoods for artisans.
Uganda’s exports to the US have grown dramatically—nearly 28 times between 1996 and 2022—rising from under US$10 million in the late 1990s to US$62 million in 2017, and further peaking at US$87 million in 2021 and US$89 million in 2022, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).
While coffee, vanilla, and specialty goods remain leading drivers, expanding artisan crafts into this export mix is seen as a way to diversify products, fuel economic growth, and empower communities.
“Uganda’s crafts embody creativity, identity, and opportunity. Through this program, we aim to open new markets, improve artisan incomes, and showcase Uganda’s cultural heritage internationally,” said Benon Kayemba, Head of Consular Services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The week-long program will feature discovery sessions, product development workshops, and training on export standards, culminating in a final showcase on 23rd August, where artisans will present products that merge cultural authenticity with global market appeal.
Trainer Elaine Robnett Moore, an internationally recognized expert, stressed the need for artisans to align with global demand. “Ugandan artisans are gifted, and their work is unique. This program is about refining what they already do well and making sure their products compete on international shelves,” she said.
The initiative is expected to boost Uganda’s creative exports, enhance artisan incomes, and strengthen the country’s position in the global creative economy. Throughout the program, artisans’ stories and progress will be documented to highlight the human impact of Uganda’s growing export sector.
