His Excellency Zaake Kibedi, Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates has called upon Ugandan business Communities working in the UAE, to market their products vigorously  through engagements and working with the embassy, to enable them thrive in a competitive market.

Kibedi made these remarks while inspecting products exhibited at the Uganda -UAE convention on November 25, 2023, at Hyatt Regency Hotel Deira-Dubai.

According to Kibedi, in order for Ugandan businesses to thrive and gain a wider competitive market there is a need to promote their products.

“Bring some of your products to us for show casing and use. We receive a lot of dignitaries and people at the embassy and it could be a good marketing skill. For instance, coffee can be served to our guests, which is a good marketing strategy,” Kibedi said.

He noted that, they should work hand in hand with the embassy to tap into available opportunities.

Cosmos Ahebwa one of the organizers of the Uganda -UAE convention, noted that, Ugandans are not doing enough to market their products.

“They open up businesses, and concentrate on making money to send back home, but put little effort in marketing their businesses to grow in the current competitive market, ” Ahebwa said.

He further said that the businesses eventually collapse due to poor publicity, even when the products are good because the little profits made are sent back to their home for development of other businesses. However, the money ends up mismanaged by friends or relatives, hence nothing solid to go back to.

Ahebwa, further noted that, in order to grow a business, one needs to invest in marketing, advertising, and above all, monitor and manage their own business.

According to a Forbes report, marketing boosts sales, makes it easier for customers to find owners when they need a product or service, and it makes a business owner more visible when people want to know more about what they do.