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Related Keywords: attract investors, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, cotton output, exports of unprocessed cotton, hindering policy implementation, lack of funds, Uganda textile industry, Uganda textile policy, value addition

A decade ago, Uganda produced 254,000 bales of cotton annually, each weighing 185kg. About 10 percent of Uganda's annual cotton output is processed locally and 90 percent of its cotton as lint (primary form) is exported as value addition continues to elude the industry due to the delayed National Textile Policy. The country has more than 38 cotton lint exporters with some ginning.

Related Keywords: abundant cotton grown, buy textiles, economic sector, government institution, National textile policy, Nyanza Textile Industries, Picfare Group of companies, textile industries, Uganda textile industry

The textile industry is the only economic sector in Uganda which was once a vibrant sector is going through crisis, as it faces stiff competition largely from Asia and the Middle East. Although the government announced the first ever five-year National Textile Policy, it has not been implemented.
Uganda’s textile industries are pushing for the implementation of a National Textile Policy. They also want government institutions compelled to buy textiles from local companies.

Related Keywords: buy Uganda products, consumption of local fabrics, school uniforms, socks and t-shirts, Uganda manufactures Association, Uganda textile industry, Uganda textiles

UGANDA Manufactures Association to increase the production and consumption of local fabrics and growth of textile industry has urged all government departments and ministries to buy products manufactured in Uganda especially textiles.

According to the executive director UMA, Ssebagala Kigozi, the only way to grow the local capacity in the industrial sector is government departments like the Army, Prisons, and Police should buy these textile products from the local textile industries because they are of quality compared to those that are imported into the country.