In early October, the Embassy of Belgium hosted the official introduction of BUBA, the Belgium Uganda Business Alliance, at the Belgian Residence in Kampala. DRIP was there: Gregory Knuets, one of the three partners behind Mactory, the company that runs the brand, represented the team.
A new bridge between Belgium and Uganda
BUBA brings together the Belgian and Ugandan business communities, with one goal: to build lasting economic collaboration between the two countries. The evening was hosted by Ambassador Hugues Chantry, alongside two guests who know the ground better than anyone:
- Robert Mukiza, Director General of the Uganda Investment Authority, guest of honour;
- Nicolas Oebel, Country Director of Enabel, the Belgian development agency, in Uganda.
Their talks focused on strengthening trade, investment and sustainable development ties. Then the conversations moved to the garden: Belgian beers, canapés and, once night fell, plenty of exchanges under the string lights.
Why DRIP was there
DRIP makes natural sauces, born between Belgium and Uganda and soon to be produced in Kampala. We are exactly the kind of project BUBA wants to support: a Belgian–Ugandan venture that produces locally. For a young brand like ours, an evening like this matters:
- Meeting the ecosystem: entrepreneurs, investors and institutions that know how things work on the ground.
- Moving faster: the right introduction at the right time can save weeks of paperwork.
- Getting DRIP known among the people who will be our first ambassadors, in both countries.
Greg came back with new contacts and very concrete leads for the next steps of the project.
What's next
We keep preparing the launch of production in Kampala. Thank you to the Embassy of Belgium for hosting this first BUBA evening, and to everyone we met that night. A promising first step, and we can't wait for you to taste our sauces! #BEinUG
Written by
Thomas Claessens