The first session of the three-day Bamboo Weaving – Beginners Course was successfully conducted, attracting a vibrant group of young men and women eager to learn how a simple woody plant can be transformed into a variety of beautiful, marketable woven products. The training, organised by Bamboo Pathways in collaboration with the Uganda Bamboo Association and Bamboo Innovation Hub, aims to equip participants with hands-on skills to create bamboo-based crafts and empower them to explore opportunities in Uganda’s growing bamboo industry.

In her opening remarks, Hon. Flavia Nabugere Munaaba, Secretary General of the Uganda Bamboo Association, applauded the enthusiastic turnout and particularly welcomed the strong participation of women and youth. “I am glad to see the youth and particularly women, because they hold the future of bamboo,” she said. “What we are teaching you are skills that can help you tap into the bamboo industry — a multi-billion-dollar industry globally. If you add your digital knowledge, you will go far.”

She encouraged the participants to explore bamboo not only as a plant but as a livelihood. “You can choose one simple product, make millions of it, and ship it all over the world. There are so many things that can be done once you learn how to handle bamboo. This is your opportunity to learn, teach others, and turn bamboo into income.” Hon. Munaaba emphasized that Uganda’s bamboo movement is transitioning from being merely about planting to creating value through product development and craftsmanship, noting, “We are transforming the Uganda Bamboo association premises from being a bamboo seedlings nursery to becoming a fully equipped bamboo workshop.”

Mr. David Munaaba, CEO and Founder of Bamboo Pathways, urged the trainees to make the most of the opportunity and apply the skills they acquire to create impact in their communities. “Bamboo is an amazing plant, but one must ask - so what?” he said. “Unless we take positive initiatives, bamboo will remain just a dream. Through trainings like this weaving course and other efforts, Bamboo Pathways is committed to making inroads into the bamboo community - building skills, raising awareness, and harnessing bamboo’s potential as both an economic plant and an environmental gem.”

The session was facilitated by Ms. Jackie Nanyit, a passionate youth participant, under the supervision of Mr. Drake Ndyamuhaki, CEO of the Bamboo Innovation Hub and co-founder of Bamboo Pathways, with Professor Weiren Zeng, a seasoned bamboo expert whose craftsmanship and teaching legacy span across borders. Participants were introduced to the basics of bamboo handling, preparation, and weaving techniques. The atmosphere was lively as learners interacted, experimented, and produced their first simple bamboo pieces - a promising start to a journey of creative skill-building and sustainable enterprise.

The training continues over the next two Saturdays with more practical sessions focusing on product design, finishing, and entrepreneurship.

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