Pearl of Africa Hygiene Limited is one of the newest manufacturing companies based in the MMP Buikwe Industrial Park in central Uganda, having started production in June 2026.
The company manufactures disposable baby diapers under the “Tiny Hugs” brand name, but is known to its clients as “Kapale” (local name for pants).
According to the Managing Director, Kaxak Dobariya, they are on a mission to produce what he terms “Africa’s softest diapers”.
“You can see the softness and the quality of the materials inside, all of which are medical-grade, and the absorption quality of this diaper is much better.
The baby can wear it all night with no problem. We also have this low count, which is an affordable and better choice for travelling”, said Dobariya.
The 9,000 sqm factory boasts of a production capacity of 500,000 diapers per day across four sizes S, M, L and XL.
The factory which currently employs 50 people has created jobs for locals working as Machine operators, Quality Supervisors, Electrical engineers, Packaging, Lab assistants and Raw material Supervisors.
Why Uganda?
According to Dobariya, Uganda’s population and strategic location were the major factors behind choosing Uganda for their investment.
He explained:
“Several key factors gave us confidence to invest in Uganda. First, Uganda has a young and rapidly growing population, creating strong and sustained demand for baby care and hygiene products.
“Second, the country has a strategic location within East Africa, providing access to both the domestic market and neighboring regional markets.
“We were also encouraged by Uganda’s commitment to industrialization and private-sector-led growth, which supports investment in local manufacturing.
“The opportunity to substitute imports with locally produced diapers, create employment, and contribute to economic development further strengthened our investment decision.
Additionally, increasing consumer awareness of hygiene and the expanding retail sector provide a strong foundation for long-term market growth.”
Challenges
During the setup, the company faced some challenges, such as capital requirements, product certification process, dependence on imported raw materials, and infrastructure limitations.
To solve the financial challenges, the company implemented a phased approach. For raw materials, they forged strategic partnerships with suppliers and also procured locally where possible. They also worked closely with the Uganda Investment Authority to reduce the bureaucracy and obtain the necessary compliance approvals.
UIA Support to the Investor
The Managing Director credited the Uganda Investment Authority for the valuable support given throughout the investment setup journey, right from the information-gathering stage about setup procedures to acquiring the Investment License and coordination with other agencies, such as the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, for better quality compliance through UIA’s One Stop Centre.
Future Plans
In the near future, the company plans to focus on continuous quality improvement, achieving manufacturing efficiency and strengthening its distribution network to expand its regional footprint across East Africa.
Long term, the company plans to diversify its product portfolio to add more hygiene products such as wipes and incontinence products, and explore local sourcing and sustainable packaging.
Watch the Pearl of Africa Hygiene Limited Success Story on the Uganda Investment Authority Youtube Channel.
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