URN.On Thursday, the fair was disrupted by the heavy rain that started at around 6 am until around 1 pm. When Uganda Radio Network visited the showgrounds it was drizzling and all exhibitors had covered their goods, while other stalls were empty.
Exhibitors at the 2022 trade fair in Kitgum are registering poor sales due to rain.
The trade show which is organized by Kitgum Business Leaders’ Forum, started on April 15 at Kitgum Public Primary School and is scheduled to end on April 25, under the theme; “Restoration of Hope to Farmers Through Smart Agribusiness.”
In the past years, the trade show was organized in January during the dry season, and also because the annual event takes place at a school playground.
However, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the organizers were forced to schedule the event in April because of the change in the school calendar.
On Thursday, the fair was disrupted by the heavy rain that started at around 6 am until around 1 pm. When Uganda Radio Network visited the showgrounds it was drizzling and all exhibitors had covered their goods, while other stalls were empty.
Jennifer Adong, who is operating mobile money and bar business, says the current rain is greatly affecting the trade fair.
Adong who says she has spent more than 300, 000 shilling on hiring helpers, a tent, renting a space, and transporting her items and goods to the showground says it might be hard to recover the expenses incurred to participate in the exhibition.
She reveals that in the past trade shows she sell thrice the volume she is selling now in a day.
Elijah Atuhaire, who came for the trade show two days ago from Kisoro district, says he has not sold his stock because of the rain. Atuhaire who is selling second-hand shoes wonders how he is going to pay for the ground rent and recover the expenses he incurred to come to the trade fair.
Ruth Kareeb, a dealer in African jewelry, sandals, and clothes, who traveled from Kenya, says this is her third time to come for the trade show. Kareeb says that most of her clients have not shown up.
Richard Onen Opee, the Deputy Event Manager of the trade show, says the organizers of the trade show were held back by the delay in reopening the economy due to coronavirus.
Opee says they could not afford to spend another year without a trade show, because their focus is on the farmers.
The organizers had planned to register 500 exhibitors but there are less than 200.
