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Artists and artisans in Uganda have been encouraged to take advantage of indigenous materials such as barkcloth to gain access to the United States market and grow their businesses globally.
This call was made by Elaine Robnett Moore, a US-based artist, jewellery designer, and writer, during a special training session held at the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC), popularly known as the National Theatre in Kampala. The training, which took place on Friday, focused on helping local artists prepare their crafts for international markets.
Moore said barkcloth is a unique Ugandan product that has potential to attract buyers abroad because of its beauty and originality. She explained that barkcloth can be transformed into many valuable items such as computer covers, phone cases, and iPad covers. According to her, the material’s natural beauty makes it stand out in the global craft market.
“First of all, the materials that are here are indigenous; the quality of the workmanship is unbelievable; the backcloth is amazing because it’s so beautiful, and it turns out to be perfect for covers like computer covers, iPad covers, galaxy covers, all that. I have purchased one to take to the United States, and all my people there will be jealous about it because it’s so beautiful,” Moore said.
The training was part of a program initiated by the Ugandan Embassy in Washington, DC, under the theme Art on a Global Level. The goal is to help Ugandan artisans repackage their art and crafts for export and take advantage of the growing demand for authentic African products in the United States.
Moore added that sometimes people fail to see the value of what is around them because it is too common locally. She noted that unlike leather goods, which are produced in many countries, barkcloth is unique to Uganda and therefore has a strong competitive advantage in the global market.
Several Ugandan artists also shared their experiences at the training. Angella Kakobyo, a string artist and founder of Manzuru, said she has been combining string art with natural wellness products to make her work more unique. She explained that she collaborates with other artists and often adds barkcloth to her art to make it more attractive and contemporary.
“For this workshop, what I have gained is a lot of wisdom. I have met people who have what I require in my next level; people who have information in regards to materials that are indigenous to Uganda, barkcloth, etc. We have to improve on our artwork, make it more unique and indigenous to this country, so that people outside this country can be able to buy it in big quantities,” Kakobyo said.
Nuwa Wamala Nnyanzi, a creative artist and consultant, said the major challenge for Ugandan artists has always been finding a market for their products and producing them in large quantities. He praised Moore for showing them how to prepare for mass production and how to take samples abroad for marketing.
Uganda has been recording steady growth in exports to the United States. Data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) shows that exports to America have grown nearly 28 times between 1996 and 2022. From less than US$10 million in the late 1990s, exports reached US$62 million in 2017, before climbing to US$87 million in 2021 and US$89 million in 2022.
Most of these exports have come from products like coffee, vanilla, and other specialty goods. However, experts believe artisan crafts could become a new driver of growth. If supported, the sector could create jobs, empower communities, and position Uganda more competitively in the global creative economy.
Moore said she would return to the United States with some Ugandan art samples, market them, and then come back with feedback on how artists can expand their production for larger orders.
Her advice to Ugandan artists was simple: embrace what is unique to the country, improve quality, and think about global demand. According to her, art and crafts made with indigenous materials are the future for Uganda’s creative industry.
