Visiting US senator, Mary Landrieu has said Americans want authentic African products.

"People in the US want products from countries like Uganda. But they have to be of very good quality," she said.

Landrieu, who represents Louisiana, made the remarks yesterday at the Phenix Logistics Uganda Limited factory at Kibira Road in Kampala. US ambassador Jimmy Kolker accompanied her.

She said on return to USA, she would lobby the senate to have the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) extended for a longer period.

Uganda exports various materials like ready-made garments to the US market through AGOA.

Landrieu hailed Phenix Logistics for turning locally produced cotton into good quality products and providing employment to Ugandans.

"What is being done here is extraordinary. Louisiana produces cotton but we have never been able to manufacture garments like you are doing here.

She was offered a T-shirt and Shirt, which she turned down and chose to pay US$35 (sh70, 000) for the items.

Gordon Wavamunno who holds shares in Phenix also pleaded for AGOA's extension saying Uganda could only make more money by exporting its products.