Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

This project is the kind that wants to focus on t-shirts and caps manufacturing through sewing for both domestic use and export.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

I have operated an embroidery business for close to 6 years now and 98% of the t-shirts, shirts, jerseys and caps I brand/print are all imported into the country. Most of these products are lacking in quality, expensive and sometimes there is shortage of these products and you have to put an order on hold for weeks as you wait for new stock to arrive in the country. This project is going to focus on the production of these products here and also ensure that we also have a variety without limiting the market to only what the importer is able to provide using different machines and sewing machines.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Uganda imports 98% of its t shirts , shirts and caps and because of the nature of my work I have learnt that most of these products are not of very good quality and are also expensive. The DRC and south Sudan rely on Uganda for most of their supplies meaning we re export what was imported to these countries. When a country imports too much of something it means more money is leaving the country than what is coming in which slows down its economic growth. This project will reduce the already existing big gap in this sector and join the few others who embarked on this journey and hence reduce on the importation of these products into our country which will improve on the growth of our economy.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

The major benefits of this project include the following: a) Low prices Since these products will be made here and not involve import duties the prices will be lower compared to those imported. b) Steady chain of supply There will be a stream lined supply of our products so that people do not have to wait for weeks for products to reach the market. a) Uniqueness People will be able to get products designed to their choice and colors, they will not settle for what is available in the market .

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

This project is here to serve all the people involved in the direct and indirect use of these products but it is mainly targeting the wholesalers and retailers who sell these products in the market because they are so important in the chain of supply as they are the ones who release products to the final consumer. It is also seeking to skill young people especially young girls who dropped out of school , young mothers and those from disadvantaged families through free training programs annually. It is also here to employ young people, mentor and shape their mindsets in the direction of self employment and independence.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-01-10

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

4

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Nansubuga Brenda Brenda is a 30 year old female and a graduate in statistics. She carries skills in sales, data analysis , excel and has been working as a sales analyst for 7years. Murungi Prossy Prossy is 27 years old and and she is certificate holder in pastry and confectionaries, She has been running a bakery at home comes across with experience in sales and customer retainment. Makibwe Daniel. Daniel is 30 years old and a holder of a diploma in mechanical engineering . He has experience is team building and leadership, operations and technical works. Lubega Pius He is 30 years old and a graduate who has been self employed since he finished school. H e has run a business for 6 years and comes from a background of tailors and a family that deals in tailoring materials. He has experience in business development and management.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Apparel manufacturing (textile)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Empowering young people through skilling them and employment improves their earnings and way of living. When you empower one person she is able to touch so many lives that are connected to her.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Good health and well being is achieved through many ways and a good mental health in one of them. Choosing to empower someone who has lost hope in life is believing in that person which offers them hope thus improving their self esteem. This project is here to skill and employ young people.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Education is not only oral and even our country has now introduced a new curriculum which not only weighs students potential according to academic orally written exams but also considers their skills. This project will provide skills that somebody will put to use for the rest of their lives and even pass them om.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

A woman natures and grows things that are entrusted with her. This project will offer free training for 5 girls who have dropped out of school annually in its sewing and other machinery workshops.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

A country that is able to manufacture most of its own products will have a sustainable economic growth. This project will encourage domestic manufacturing which will encourage consumption of locally made products.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

We grow by appreciating those who have gone ahead of us in the path that we choose to take. Those already in the tailoring sector have done a good job but we seek to bring in new innovations by using better and more efficient technology by using modern machinery and this will improve the sewing and apparel manufacturing industry in Uganda.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Sewing keeps on evolving as the world and technology changes . Continuous consumption is achieved through constant supply of quality products and the ability to adjust to change in times and our project is one of those that believes in the use of technology and evolving/

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

3

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

2

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

6

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

5

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

6

05.08 Justification

There are a few companies that are already manufacturing T shirts here but now is manufacturing caps . We appreciate that they went ahead of us but what makes our idea unique is that we want to start making the caps here and also make unique designs according to the customers choice because we carried out research and realized that we could make products with better material compared to what is already in the market.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Our main competitors are Nytil, Lurtex textiles and fine spinners and they have played a big role in competing with the t-shirts imported in the country. What makes us stand out is the experience I have got from running a business that mainly uses these products daily and interacting with the final customers has enriched me with knowledge of what is still lacking when it comes to the products already in the market

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

NO