Club Capital in Busia, Uganda, which many Kenyan revellers frequent. Hundreds of Kenyans live and run businesses, including shops, pubs and boda boda, from the Ugandan side, thanks to what they term affordability and better security. At the Kenya–Uganda border, Jane Nafula glances at her watch, then increases her pace as she walks past the railed border gate into the Kenyan side. It is 7.30 am and the border is a hive of activity. People criss-cross the Busia border to catch up with the day’s businesses in either countries.Ms Nafula, a Kenyan, is a secretary at a government office in Kenya’s Busia town, but she lives in Sofia town, Uganda. She has rented a two bed-roomed house in Uganda at Sh5,000. A similar house goes for about Sh10,000 in Busia-Kenya. “Life is much cheaper and easier in Uganda. Food is readily available at friendly prices. I have been living there for three years. The only time I spend a night in Kenya is when I am visiting my rural home in Budalang’i,” says Ms Nafula.

She is not the only one. Hundreds of Kenyans live and run businesses including shops, pubs and boda boda from the Ugandan side, thanks to their cheaper economy and better security. In the evenings, Kenyans are seen crossing into Uganda without any restrictions. Some cross over to evade the so- called “Mututho” drinking rules that limit opening hours for bars. John Mututho, the chairman of the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse Board limited drinking hours six years ago. But pubs and entertainment joints in Uganda open and sell alcohol round the clock. Queens Palace, Club Lindas, Club Comrades, Winkers Club are usually full of Kenyan revellers. At the clubs and lodges, both Kenyan and Ugandan currencies are acceptable as forms of payment. In Busia, only the Kenyan shilling is accepted. Famously known for seemingly unending queues of long distance trucks plying Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malaba and Busia border towns have been a transit point for drivers and other visitors.

Yasin Jaja, a truck driver, told Business Daily that many drivers prefer seeking hospitality and entertainment services in Uganda because they are cheaper and with less restrictions.Outdoor Furniture Store Ridgewood Nj “You can get a good room for Sh600 in Uganda. B12 Shots Good For Weight LossBeer prices are quite friendly. Cat'S Cradle String Single PersonA Guinness goes for Ush3,700, equivalent of Sh110. I buy a meal for as low as Sh50,’’ said Mr Jaja. In Kenya, a Guinness beer retails on average at Sh200. “We can also walk freely even at night without fearing arrest and drink into the wee hours of the morning, unlike in Kenya.” The introduction of the East African Community (EAC) protocol that allowed free movement of people and goods within Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi gave the communities a leeway to trade freely.

Africa risks economic infection from Ebola... Museveni, Kagame for Uganda-Rwanda business... UMA wants gov't bodies to buy Ugandan-made textiles Added 7th October 2014 12:27 PM Fill in your Name and Email Address to receive a Free Newsletter UGANDA Manufactures Association wants all government departments and ministries to buy products manufactured in Uganda especially textiles UGANDA Manufactures Association wants all government departments and ministries to buy products manufactured in Uganda especially textiles. The move will increase the production and consumption of local fabrics and growth of textile industry. The most produced textile products include school uniforms, socks, t-shirts, among others which manufactures feel should be given priority whenever government is procuring them for different departments. The call was made by the executive director UMA, Ssebagala Kigozi while visiting textile industries in Jinja who include Sigma and Sunbelt textiles limited in preparation for the forthcoming 22nd International Trade Fair organized by UMA, under the theme "Building Business Partnerships for Sustainable Markets and Competitiveness."

The show started on the 2nd of October 2014 and will run until the 10th of October. “There is no way you can grow the local capacity in the industrial sector when you are importing everything. Ideally government departments like the Army, Prisons, and Police should buy these socks from the local textile industries because they are of quality compared to those that are imported into the country,” said Ssebaggala. Sigma Knitting Industries manufacture uniforms and socks while Chinese Sunbelt Textiles Limited are into manufacturing and designing bed sheets and curtains. Samples of the socks manufactured by Sigma Knitting Indsutries in Jinja. Photo by Prossy Nandudu He also promised to engage the leaders of the UPDF, Prisons and Police so they can appreciate what is manufactured locally and if possible encourage them to visit the premises so they can consider them in future procurement processes. “Why import when local industries are producing better quality?

This can only happen when the locals cannot produce what the market wants. I plan to set up an appointment with the IGP, Gen. JeJe Odongo from ministry of Defence and Johnson Byabashaija of Prisons so we can help our manufacturers,” he added. His appeal followed complaints from the managing director of Sigma Knitting, Anant Parmar that government departments continue to import products like socks at a cheaper cost into the country ignoring those made here. “This has failed our products from penetrating the market because many consumers prefer the imported ones. If there is no one demanding for our products then we cannot keep in the market,” said Parmar. Parmar explained that since 2009 they have only run the factory to full capacity for only one year because there is no demand. He adds that he has been further frustrated by the Public Procurement and Disposable Authority that has on several occasions ignored his bids. “I applied for tenders three times but am not even short listed or even called once so if even the government procurement body cannot see value in the sector how are the other sectors going to compete?”, wondered Parmar.