Uganda’s exports to East Africa member states drop
A number of Ugandan truck drivers have been killed in attacks since the beginning of the year, leading to suspension of transportation services to the country by some truck drivers. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- DR Congo and South Sudan have provided manufacturers, especially in the cement, steel, household items and dairy sectors, new markets as other EAC member states close out Ugandans products.
Uganda’s exports to East African member states, except Tanzania, dropped during the period ended August, according to data from Bank of Uganda.
Exports to Kenya, South Sudan, DR Congo and Burundi all dropped. However, Kenya recorded the largest decline, with earnings, according to Bank of Uganda data, falling to $40.2m (Shs142b) down from $55m (Shs195b) in July.
The decline, experts indicated, could have been a result of the unending trade wars that have seen Kenya ban a number of Ugandan products including sugar, milk, maize and poultry products, among others.
The Bank of Uganda report, which was released yesterday, also indicates that exports to South Sudan, which is one of leading export destinations, fell during the period from $36.7m (Shs130b) to $33.6m (Shs119b), largely due to civil strife and insurgence attacks that continue to affect both internal and international trade.
A number of Ugandan truck drivers have been killed in attacks since the beginning of the year, leading to suspension of transportation services to the country by some truck drivers.
During the period, Bank of Uganda indicates, export receipts to DR Congo also dropped, falling to $28.8m (Shs99.4b), representing a 2.8 per cent decline from $29.6m (Shs105b) earned in July.
DR Congo and South Sudan have provided manufacturers, especially in the cement, steel, household items and dairy sectors, new markets as other EAC member states close out Ugandans products.
Previously, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, Uganda had been exporting mostly animal, vegetable fats and oils and cleavage products to DR Congo. Other exports include sunflower-seed, cotton-seed oil, fast consumer goods and smoked fish.
During the period, the report notes, exports to Rwanda remained stagnating, largely due to a border blockade instituted by Rwanda about two years ago.
However, exports to Tanzania increased to $9.9m (Shs35b) up from $7m (Shs24b).
