Learn how to make your own ‘kikoyi’
WHILE living in England, Edith Bagenda used to do sewing and stitching as a hobby. But she later realised she could earn money out of it. Now in Uganda on a short holiday, she has decided to undertake professional training to back up her natural talent.
By Samuel Lutwama
WHILE living in England, Edith Bagenda used to do sewing and stitching as a hobby. But she later realised she could earn money out of it. Now in Uganda on a short holiday, she has decided to undertake professional training to back up her natural talent.
“I want to add some value and give a new dimension to my work when I go back to England,†Bagenda says. She is training at the Textile Development Agency in Bukoto, a city suburb.
The agency intends to rejuvenate the hand-woven fabrics, garments and interior design industry, by giving a chance to people like Bagenda who have a passion for practical work. Their products include curtains, tablecloths, cushion covers and napkins.
What captures the eye though, is weaving of kikoyi from long strand organic cotton, scarves, shawls, and other accessories. These products are made from Ugandan cotton with the occasional integration of other East African fibres.
There is no particular academic qualification needed to enrol at this agency, but one should be proficient in English and have a passion for fabrics. The ultimate goal is to impact entrepreneurial skills. The fabric agency offers extensive course portfolio in the field of textile and garment making.
Grace Angela Kirabo, the company administrator says: “We have generated income and created employment.â€
She adds that over 1,050 trainees have so far been trained and have become financially independent.
The centre has training opportunities in different packages for beginners in the textile field and those upgrading their craftsmanship skills.
The courses offered include; surface designing, weaving, garment construction and product development. The centre ensures that its students always practise and weave their own fabric.
Each training session takes two months. The tuition fee is sh250,000 per session, including instructional materials for beginners. However, trainees may be required to cater for the extra materials to perfect their skills.
The agency was established in 1999 with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the Uganda Integrated Programme.
Although the training initially attracted under-privileged women in society, today men have also picked interest.
Hudson Opio, an instructor at Tororo Technical Institute, says his skills have been sharpened and he has been able to transfer them to his village.
“I use local materials in our area in Tororo to weave,†he remarks.
The art works of this agency have featured prominently in many social galas in the country. Some of their costumes were used by the beauty queens in the 2007/2008 Miss Uganda beauty pageant, while others were used in the award winning movie, Last King of Scotland.
Fabrics for instant purchase like shirts, feminine attires, table cloths in linen and cushions are readily available at the company premises.
WHILE living in England, Edith Bagenda used to do sewing and stitching as a hobby. But she later realised she could earn money out of it. Now in Uganda on a short holiday, she has decided to undertake professional training to back up her natural talent.
“I want to add some value and give a new dimension to my work when I go back to England,†Bagenda says. She is training at the Textile Development Agency in Bukoto, a city suburb.
The agency intends to rejuvenate the hand-woven fabrics, garments and interior design industry, by giving a chance to people like Bagenda who have a passion for practical work. Their products include curtains, tablecloths, cushion covers and napkins.
What captures the eye though, is weaving of kikoyi from long strand organic cotton, scarves, shawls, and other accessories. These products are made from Ugandan cotton with the occasional integration of other East African fibres.
There is no particular academic qualification needed to enrol at this agency, but one should be proficient in English and have a passion for fabrics. The ultimate goal is to impact entrepreneurial skills. The fabric agency offers extensive course portfolio in the field of textile and garment making.
Grace Angela Kirabo, the company administrator says: “We have generated income and created employment.â€
She adds that over 1,050 trainees have so far been trained and have become financially independent.
The centre has training opportunities in different packages for beginners in the textile field and those upgrading their craftsmanship skills.
The courses offered include; surface designing, weaving, garment construction and product development. The centre ensures that its students always practise and weave their own fabric.
Each training session takes two months. The tuition fee is sh250,000 per session, including instructional materials for beginners. However, trainees may be required to cater for the extra materials to perfect their skills.
The agency was established in 1999 with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the Uganda Integrated Programme.
Although the training initially attracted under-privileged women in society, today men have also picked interest.
Hudson Opio, an instructor at Tororo Technical Institute, says his skills have been sharpened and he has been able to transfer them to his village.
“I use local materials in our area in Tororo to weave,†he remarks.
The art works of this agency have featured prominently in many social galas in the country. Some of their costumes were used by the beauty queens in the 2007/2008 Miss Uganda beauty pageant, while others were used in the award winning movie, Last King of Scotland.
Fabrics for instant purchase like shirts, feminine attires, table cloths in linen and cushions are readily available at the company premises.