Kampala — President Yoweri Museveni is expected to open the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) 16th trade fair, the UMA chairman, James Kalibbala, has said.

"The President has accepted to open the Uganda International Trade Fair on October 10," Kalibbala said.

He said this year's exhibition, to be held from October 6-13, has attracted 900 exhibitors from over 30 countries. Last year, 817 exhibitors from 31 countries participated.

He said the fair would be held under the theme 'Linking production to prospective markets through value- addition.'

Kalibbala said the theme is in line with the Government's vision of putting in place varied but integrated economic programmes geared towards modernisation of agriculture and industrial transformation.

"Uganda's industrial sector can only survive on a viable and robust agricultural sector especially for raw materials and purchasing power.

"The Government said it ready to support agro-processing plants to strengthen the agro-industry linkages," Kalibbala explained.

He said this year's trade fair has attracted new entrants like Libya, Canada and the Netherlands Development Organisation, which would sponsor the participation of 15 associations dealing in agriculture and agro-related industries from Kitgum, Kabarole, Bunyangabu, Moyo, Yumbe, Arua, Soroti, Bukedea, Lira, Luweero, and Kamwenge districts.

He said another organisation, HIPS, dealing in primary health care and HIV/AIDS management would offer free HIV tests and voluntary counselling.