In Uganda, you get to eat your Rolex

By Halima Athumani

KAMPALA, Uganda

Uganda wants the world to recognize Rolex as an “original” fast food product of its country.

In remarks made to reporters in the capital Kampala Wednesday, State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Godfrey Kiwanda said: “We want to promote the Rolex as a proudly Ugandan product and recognize it as our official fast food.”

Rolex worldwide is recognized primarily as a leading luxurious watch brand, but Kiwanda hopes the name would now also make others think about the delicious and much cheaper treat from his country.

He said Uganda too had its eyes on the worldwide market. “We want to promote it internationally and move with our people; this Rolex is now being consumed in most East African countries but it was invented by our locals,” he said.

The Rolex is said to be one of the fastest growing foods in the country.

Nyimera Patrick operates a small restaurant within Makerere University in Kampala. Patrick explained the making of the Rolex: “I first blend shredded carrots in water, add wheat flour, salt and knead the dough thoroughly.”

The dough is then divided, rolled and fried. Apart from the chappati, which is a form of flat bread, he added: “You also prepare an omelet, place the egg in the fried chappati and roll it for the customer.”

The Rolex is considered Uganda’s success story from deep down in Kampala’s ghettos to roadsides of town centers onto menus of top hotels and restaurants in the country.

Former Minister for Tourism Maria Mutagamba told Anadolu Agency the tourism sector needs to identify opportunities and promote them. “We keep telling our people that there are a billion opportunities, but we have to find and actualize them.”

Now working to promote Miss Tourism, Mutagamba said: “A Rolex is one opportunity, it’s consumed by all of us and tourists have come to love it.”

She revealed the Ministry of Tourism was promoting the Rolex because “the government is stuck with a lot of unemployed youth and this is a job that many can do.”

She added: “So we are going to start documenting, who is involved in Rolex making, how can they improve and what more can the government do for them.”

The Ministry also announced it would hold an annual Kampala Rolex Festival on the 21st of every August.