East African Business Week

Kampala, Uganda- Sounds of traditional drumming and whistling welcomed you to Lubiri, the Buganda  king's palace in Kampala. People respond in droves,  joy and expectation written on their faces.
It was time for the Third Annual Buganda Tourism expo.
The theme for this year's expo was to increase people's knowledge about the cultural diversity and common heritage in the country.
The expo, aimed at selling Uganda's tourism, was also meant to earn some money for traders who paid for stalls where the week long show was held.
Many turned up but few spent some money.
"This year's expo was not as profitable as last year's," said Ms Brenda Nakacwa, who exhibited African wear and crafts, "Many people are around but few are buying"
She blamed the low sales to the increased food and fuel prices which are a priority for many since crafts are luxuries.
The annual event which was officially opened by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Ms  Maria KIwanuka attracted many corporate companies like the telecommunications, Uganda Wildlife Authority, and agricultural products firms among others.
Each stall went at between Shs100, 000($40) and Ug shs500, 000($200).
The attractions exhibited include wild life such as lions, ostriches, monkeys, python and cultural paraphernalia since the expo was organized by the Buganda kingdom, a cultural entity.
Some companies were successful.
 "The expo has helped us to increase publicity for our recently launched Posta buses since we have interacted with many people, exchanged ideas with them which is good for ruling out misconceptions that people could be having about Posta Uganda," said Michael Ekojot , a marketing officer of Posta Uganda.
Mr. Musa Matovu,  who exhibited agro- processing machinery saw some benefits "People have managed to come and appreciate a variety of our products. This I believe has boosted our image abroad as a rich tourism center," he said.
"Such events expose students to new things.  Some watch such big snakes like the python in the movies but now they have seen them physically," commented Paul Otim a guide at Uganda wild life education centre.
Buganda King Ronald Mutebi , while closing the expo,  encouraged people to preserve their cultural heritage since such items not only generate income through the tourism industry but also strengthen African cultures.
"All Ugandans must take the initiative to protect these sites so that we don't experience the same tragedy that happened at Kasubi. These items are not only important for the Baganda but for the whole Uganda," he said.
The Kasubi tombs, a world heritage site, was one of the biggest tourist centers in Uganda but it was set a blaze on  March 16, 2010 by unknown persons and a lot of items were destroyed.