KAMPALA | INFORMAL WORKERS | TRADERS | VALUE ADDITION

The informal workers and traders have been tasked with adding value to their products as one way of suitably competing for the available market and enhancing production.

The call was made by the Workers' Member of Parliament Agnes Kunihira during the opening of the eight-day-long exhibition on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Railway Yard in Kampala.

The exhibition is organized by the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU), in conjunction with the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union (ATGWU).

Kunihira urged the exhibitors to consider adding value to their products to attract a bigger market. She said the Government has prioritized the transformation of the informal sector and, therefore, argued that they (informal workers) should focus their efforts on 'spicing' their products.

"We are lucky to have a government that supports the informal workers. It is now our responsibility to turn magical and make things happen," Kunihira said.

Wilson Owere, the NOTU chairman addressing the informal workers and traders during the exhibition.

At the same event, NOTU chairman General Usher Wilson Owere commended the workers for embracing the informal sector saying the field is better paying than jobs abroad, which he said seemed attractive, but dangerous.

Owere added that Uganda is endowed with untapped potential and demanded that young people should take them on to transform the country.

"Uganda is gifted in art and crafts; we have seen attractive products locally produced by our local youths. They need to be supported and they will then compete favorably," he said.

According to the available data, the informal sector contributes to more than 50% of the Ugandan economy and it is responsible for more than 80% of employment. Accordingly, most of the informal businesses seem to offer income and survival means to people who are most vulnerable to poverty, including women.

Speaking at the same event, ATGWU general secretary Stephen Abima said a total of 563 exhibitors had turned out for the occasion, stressing that the venture adds to national revenue and also creates employment for the youth.

Dental Formula Power brand manager Mohamed Saed, who was exhibiting his organic products, said he had benefitted from the program.