Uganda Edition of EABC CEOs-EAC Secretary General Meeting Outlines Priorities to Boost Uganda’s Trade with Her Counterparts

At the Uganda edition of the EABC CEOs-EAC Secretary General Meeting, held yesterday the Chief Guest, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Republic of Uganda, called for the fast-tracking of political federation to unite and deepen integration among East Africans.

Rt. Hon. Kadaga explained that the federation would lead to common policies on labor and the economy, fostering regional unity and prioritizing regional interests over national protectionism. This approach will boost intra-EAC trade and investment. She also highlighted regional opportunities for developing a multimodal transport system, such as a ferry route from Entebbe across Lake Victoria to Jinja and other EAC countries.

The EAC Secretary General, H.E. Veronica Nduva, emphasized that integration belongs to the people and urged moving beyond signed agreements to action and implementation to make intra-EAC trade seamless. She noted that the EAC is marking 25 years in November this year and applauded the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for his committed leadership in implementing the EAC vision. She highlighted that regional infrastructure development and connectivity are crucial for improving the business environment.

Hon. George Odongo, Member of Parliament of the East African Legislative Assembly, advocated for an outward-looking foreign policy to unlock opportunities in EAC integration. He cited the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), to be hosted in East Africa, as an opportunity for the region to boost tourism by liberalizing airspace. Hon. Odongo emphasized the importance of strong leadership to bridge the gap between policy and business, ensuring that policies cater to the private sector’s needs to enhance intra-EAC trade.

Mr. Simon Kaheru, Vice Chairperson of the East African Business Council (EABC), urged Africans to foster a strong commitment to African prosperity under the philosophy of “Africans to have GREED for Africa!” He praised the EAC Secretary General for prioritizing private sector issues in the EAC agenda. He noted that the EAC bloc had received commendation from the AU Private Sector Forum 2024 for being the most effective regional economic community. Vice Chairperson Kaheru stressed that economic development is closely tied to regional integration and encouraged East African businesses to collaborate and expand their footprint across the continent and globally.

Mr. Adrian Njau, Acting Executive Director of EABC, noted that Uganda’s total exports to EAC Partner States increased from USD 1.9 billion in 2022 to USD 2.2 billion in 2023, while imports from the EAC rose from USD 1.07 billion in 2022 to USD 2.23 billion in 2023. Intra-EAC trade grew by 13.1%, reaching USD 12.1 billion in 2023.

In his speech, Mr. Humphrey Nzeyi, Chairman of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), stated that achieving the EAC’s full potential requires more than market access; it demands strong institutions, public-private dialogue, the elimination of NTBs, regulatory harmonization, and addressing infrastructure bottlenecks. Currently, it takes an average of 3–5 days from Mombasa to Kampala and 4–6 days from the port of Dar es Salaam to Kampala. Logistics costs contribute to 40% of manufacturing costs in Uganda. As we look to the future, we must find solutions to these challenges to increase intra-EAC trade to 40% in the next five years.

Hon. Amongin Jacquiline emphasized the importance of advancing environmental sustainability and exploring climate mitigation opportunities, such as carbon credits.

The discussions focused on manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agroforestry, professional services, transport and logistics, and freight forwarding, with presentations from Mr. Wilson Rwabwogo, EABC Board Member; Mr. Hitesh Upreti, CEO of Dei BioPharma Ltd.; Alex Kyabawampi, NewForest Company; Ms. Sarah Kagingo, Vice Chair of PSFU; Mr. Lino Criel Icila, Secretary General of UCIFA; and Dr. Merian Sebunya, EABC Goodwill Ambassador.

Over 80 business leaders and government officials participated in the meeting, including members of the East African Legislative Assembly, ambassadors, and officials from the Ministries of EAC Affairs, Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, to discuss ways to enhance Uganda’s trade and investment ties with her EAC counterparts.

Key Recommendations included fostering public-private dialogue, enhancing infrastructure to reduce transport costs, improving agricultural production and seed multiplication, addressing non-tariff barriers, supporting the pharmaceutical sector, and standardizing timber certification and public procurement practices. It was also recommended that the EABC CEOs-EAC Secretary General Meeting be held annually.

Ms. Annette Mutaawe Ssemuwemba, Deputy Secretary General of the EAC Secretariat, stated that the EAC-EABC Technical Working Group will further explore the issues raised to inform policy reforms for improving the business environment in the region.

Other notable figures at the meeting included Amb. Anne Katusiime, Consul General at the Arusha Consulate; Stuart Mwesigwa, EABC Board Member; Mwine Jim Kabeho, EABC Chairperson Emeritus; Maggie Kigozi, EABC Goodwill Ambassador; Mr. Steven Asiimwe, CEO of PSFU; and Mr. Francis Kisirinya, CFO of PSFU.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Pheona Wall, EABC Board Member, expressed gratitude to the EAC Secretary General for partnering with the private sector through public-private dialogues to identify practical actions and innovative solutions to unlock trade and investment opportunities within the regional integration agenda.

The East African Business Council (EABC) is the regional apex body of private sector associations and Corporates from the 8 East African countries. It was established in 1997 to foster the interests of the private sector in the integration process of the East African Community. EABC vision is a borderless East Africa for business and investment. The primary mission is to promote sustainable private sector-driven growth in the EAC.