East African Business Week (Kampala)
Paul Mwijagye
18 October 2009
The story of Kiyembe commercial zone in the heart of the central business district in Kampala is a tale growing from rags to riches.
The name Kiyembe (mango tree) is symbolic of the big mango tree that once provided shade to the pioneer tailors in the area. With competition for space tightening the tree was replace by a shopping arcade. But the name has survived.
In the early 1980s, a handful of tailors who could not afford rent in a competitive urban area chose to take refuge under a mango tree in the heart of Kampala. All they needed was some space to place a sewing machine.
The place is now a hive of activity bringing together some 5000 people that include tailors, electrical appliance dealers, food vendors and hotels.
The sound of sewing machines whistles you on as you enter the place. Here there is no walking. Everything seems to be moving at a fast pace. Through the years, the number of tailors has kept on increasing and according to the vice chairperson of Kiyembe Tailors Association, Mr Joseph Mutebi, they are about 2,600 tailors.
These have attracted clothes dealers who according to Hajji Bukenya the chairperson of Kiyembe zone traders are about 500. Most schools in Kampala and indeed the country buy uniforms from Kiyembe. And unlike other locations, the commonest fabric is made of Ugandan cotton.
"We have got many customers because we make nice clothes that fit many customers unlike the imported clothes that may require adjustment," said Mutebi who has so far spent 14 years in the business.
At Kiyembe, speed is a requirement because most customers buy fabric from a shop and hand it to the tailor nearby and expect the finished piece in a few hours as they continue with other errands in the city. Kiyembe's fame has reached as far as DR. Congo Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and Kenya.
Many traders from the region buy fabric or place orders at Kiyembe and carry finished products to their countries.
The traders told East African Business Week that their busiest days are at the beginning of term for schools, during Easter and Christmas seasons. It is on such occasions that many pockets seem generous and because of its location near the main city taxi park, many customers find it convenient to do their shopping.
Besides importing their materials, they provide the biggest market for Jinja Southern Range Nyanza Textiles Ltd, a local producer of clothing materials in Uganda. Because of booming business in the area, five banks and three forex bureaus opened premises to exploit the huge potential around.
The biggest challenge is the incessant power outages.
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