Cheap imports killing local tile market, manufacturers say

Local tile manufacturers want higher taxes on imports, saying cheap foreign products are squeezing them out of the market.

Manufacturers say consumers often perceive Spanish and Indian tiles as better quality and more varied.

Rebecca Erinah Nakiberu, a tile promotion specialist at Goodwill Uganda Ceramic Co Ltd, said during a meeting of local manufacturers in Iganga Municipality on Saturday that customer perception and limited distribution remain major challenges.

“Customers think imported tiles are far better than locally produced tiles, which is not true because we also use high-quality raw materials,” Nakiberu said.

She said Spanish tiles have wider distribution networks than Goodwill tiles, making them more accessible.

Nakiberu said high production costs also affect local manufacturers because some specialised raw materials are not readily available in Uganda.