About Ugandan Merchandise

Dictators, turbulence, sky-high inflation.

In spite of these things, Harriet Zaffoni remembers Uganda as “a great place to grow up.” Even under Idi Amin, Kampala, Uganda was a capital city full of sparkling shopping centers, new roads, and more vibrant people than anywhere else in Africa.*

And its craftsmanship has always been something to behold.

In 2009, Harriet Zaffoni founded Ugandan Merchandise and first cherry-picked five artisans to represent on this site. As Ugandan Merchandise grows, we’ll pick more artisans and more goods.

Our customers come from all over: the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Australia. Our catalog is extensive—from tribal spears to pretty handbags—and it will continue to expand.

What’s more, everything we offer is a limited edition. When we sell 10 of any item, we stop selling. It’s our way of assuring you that your item is the real deal.

And you didn’t even have to get on an airplane.

Read about what it means to be Made in Uganda.

Go shopping! »

*Winston Churchill called it the “Pearl of Africa.” Uganda today is an endlessly beautiful landscape with a mild climate, fertile soil, rolling green hills, and cities designed for expansion. After years of brutal rule, the country is now stable, with a relatively thriving economy due to untapped oil reserves, burgeoning tourism, and the amazing resilience of its people.