The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Mbarara, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Mbarara City Council has committed Shillings 100Million as part of its efforts to win the bid to host the East Africa Trade show 2022. Mbarara city is competing with Gulu city to host the East African Community Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Trade show. Each of the bidding cities is required by the Ministry of Trade, Industries, and Cooperatives to commit atleast Shillings 50 million.
The trade fair is expected to attract exhibitors from the seven East African Community member states namely Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, the Mayor of Mbarara city says that hosting the trade fair will help improve the image of the city and market it in East Africa and beyond.
Kakyebezi says that the city executive committee recommended that the council commits itself to contribute at least Shillings 100 million from the local revenue to host the event. Richard Mugisha, the deputy Mbarara City Clerk says that they have proposed three venues including Kakyeeka stadium, Booma grounds, and Gatsby manufacturers grounds to host the trade show, which the organisers have already assessed.
Godfrey Baryomunsi, a resident of Kakoba has asked Mbarara city authorities to use the trade show as a stepping stone to start hosting the southwestern regional trade shows noting that several businesses like the hotel and transport sectors will get a boost.
Arnold Musiime, a trader in Koranorya food market has welcomed the initiative noting that the exposure of Mbarara city to the world will create a wide market for the traders and the goods, especially the fresh foods of Ankore.
The 21st edition of the EAC trade show was held in September last year at the Rock City Grounds in Mwanza, Tanzania.
*****
URN
