Torrential rains fail eastern regional trade fair

By Daniel Edyegu

Heavy rains in eastern Uganda disrupted the success of the week-long regional trade fair held at Mbale stadium, Mbale town.

Traders, who participated in the trade fair, said the frequent day and night downpours distracted activities at the venue and barred prospective clients from turning up for the fair.

Ayub Byaruhanga, a salesman for MWOTO energy saving cookstoves, explained that rains plunged sales as it kept off prospective. The stoves that use minimal firewood are an initiative of Makere University in an effort to conserve the environment.

“The rains disturbed us from day one to the finish. The fact that downpours occurred in the afternoon when most people normally turn up for the fair worsened the situation. I brought 27 stoves but sold only seven, way below the 50 stoves that I had projected to sell during the trade fair,” Byaruhanga ranted.

The trade fair that ran from June 15 to 24, was organised by Kkhaho Events International, the second for the firm at the same venue since 2010. A total of 40 local firms and retail traders participated in the fair, a dismal figure from the 120 firms and traders that organisers had projected to participate in the fair.

Except for Housing Finance, Crest Foam Limited, House of Manji and Crane Bank, the fair was devoid of prominent corporate firms that often grace the venue during fairs organised by the Uganda Manufacture’s Association (UMA). This, the traders attributed to poor publicity, which subsequently manifested in poor turn up of people.

However, some traders attributed the lukewarm trade fair to poor timing and the much hyped forceful circumcision in the district.

Awusi Kakomo, a dealer in plastic wares said organisers seemed not to have done done adequate research before scheduling the trade fair.

“Here, most people who turn up for trade fairs are farmers. The fact that the trade fair was schedule at a time when farmers have not harvested yields and sold out their agricultural produce to earn disposable income meant few people could afford to come and purchase items here. The poor sales have prompted me to trade my wares at throw aware prices just to recover the cost of transport,” Kakomo said.

Though Joseph Kabala, from the organising firm admitted the fair was unsuccessful, he reiterated that poor weather coupled with the prevailing cholera epidemic in the town dealt a big blow to the event.