Handicraft cooperative members decry high prices of inputs

MASINDI -Handicraft makers in Masindi district have expressed concern over the high prices of materials used to make their products.

The handicraft makers under their umbrella platform Masindi Arts and Craft Cooperative Society Limited, are currently holding a three-day exhibition of their products at Kolping Hotel in Masindi town.

Gilbert Wabyoona, the Chairperson of the handicrafts cooperative told theCooperator that they used to get most of the materials from the swamps and forests in the area, even though he noted that the materials have now been depleted by other human activities such as farming.

“We are forced to buy them from Kampala which is expensive for us since we have to include transport and other costs. We have to buy them at higher prices because we need them [materials] to make good our products,” Wabyoona said, urging government to protect the remaining forests and wetlands for sustainable use.

Edina Byababi, a handicraft maker in Masindi town said the scarcity of materials has forced the artists to increase the prices of their products.

“You can observe that our products are expensive. This is because getting the materials is a huddle as we put in a lot of money to get them from Kampala. There’s need to protect our natural resources because these are the repercussions we are facing now,” Byababi noted.

About the exhibition 

This is the first exhibition of this nature in Masindi district where handicraft makers are exhibiting locally made products. The exhibition is being held with support from the Handcraft and Souvenir Development Project [HSDP] in Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Antiquities.

According to Grace Mbabazi, the project coordinator of the Handicraft and Souvenir Development Project in Uganda, the exhibition is a result of trainings and exposure given to the handicraft makers.

Last year More than 50 handicraft makers were trained in making quality products, which can meet international standards.

The handicraft makers who were drawn from Masindi, Hoima, Kiryandongo, Pakwach, Gulu, Greater Kibaale, and Buliisa have undergone a two-day training conducted by HSDP Uganda at Masindi Kolping Hotel. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities.

“The Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities wants to uplift Uganda handicrafts to higher standards to start tapping into the international market,” said Mbabazi.

She added that the three-year project which started in 2019 is funded by Enhanced Integrated Framework [EIF] Geneva has produced marketing strategies, conducted trainings, done a baseline survey, and assessed the challenges affecting the sector among other things.

Addressing the exhibitors and other guests on Thursday, Mbabazi said they have carried out capacity building in leadership and management, e-commerce, fair trade, certification, code of conduct among others.

She also said that they have also connected the handicraft producers to different organisations and hotels, which normally host tourists.

“The purpose of this exhibition is to fulfill the objective of market access. We want to connect the producers to tourism-related facilities, hoteliers, and restaurant owners among others,” she added.

Rita Karungi, the Masindi tourism officer said that with the help of the Handcraft and Souvenir Development Project, handcraft makers have been organised, adding that they are able to produce high-quality products compared to the past years.

“Our target now is to establish a very big handicraft village. I am optimistic that this will help us to be easily accessed by our customers. The most challenging issues we face right now are finding market, but we hope this will be addressed when we are united,” she added.

The function was also graced by Ronald Businge Kyomuhendo, the mayor Masindi Municipality who promised to gazette a place for the handicraft makers in Masindi town.

“What I am requesting is you to do, is to write expressing interest in a place where you want to operate from. We have enough land we cannot fail to get where to put you,” said Kyomuhendo.

Kyomuhendo was excited by the high quality of the products being made by the people using the local materials.

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