A Ugandan delegation led by General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, Minister of State for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, is in Serbia for the Joint Commission for Trade Cooperation session on Friday, October 25, 2024, in the City of Nis. This trade mission seeks to reactivate the trade agreement signed in 1963 between Uganda and Yugoslavia and actualize further agreements made by President Yoweri Museveni and his Serbian counterpart H.E. Aleksander Vucic last year in July including the Bilateral Air Services Agreement.
The Joint Commission is founded on the Trade Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia and the Government of Uganda, signed in Entebbe in September 1963. As the successor of the former Yugoslavia, the Republic of Serbia continues to honor this agreement, which offers preferential tax treatment for Ugandan products.
The delegation is composed of officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, State House Diaspora Affairs Unit, Uganda Exim Limited, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, and Uganda Airlines.
Upon arrival, the Ugandan delegation was received by Ugandaâs Trade Representative in Serbia (Balkans), Bratislav Stoiljkovic before visiting the Uganda Connect Hub in Belgrade, a vibrant marketplace promoting and selling Ugandan products. They also had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Yugoslavia also known as the House of Flowers, which houses the resting place of former Yugoslavia President Josip Broz Tito, providing the team with insights into Serbia’s rich history and cultural heritage.
On Wednesday evening, the delegation was treated to a dinner by Ugandaâs Bratislav and his team at the Uganda Connect Hub in Belgrade launched by President Museveni last year.
General Wilson Mbadi is leading the Ugandan delegation in Serbia
General Mbadi applauded Serbian citizens for their hospitality saying, âSerbian people are hospitable and welcoming just like Ugandans. Helping us sell what we have here is helping us to achieve economic independence back home. I am happy that we have people helping us to strengthen the economic instrument of power.â
PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo greets Uganda’s Honorary Council to Greece Ms. Villy Alexandrakis during the dinner
Odrek Rwabwogo, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) highlighted the significance of reviving the 1963 treaty noting that it is an economic breakthrough not just for Uganda but East Africa at large. âI am pleased that the work we have put in for the past two years is starting to bear fruits. One of the reasons I fell in love with Serbia is because of the shared values between the two countries.â
Dr. Paul Mwambu, Commissioner Crop Inspection at MAAIF explained that Serbia is strategic as it is a gateway to other European markets. âWe are here in Belgrade, Serbia to get the fine details of what the market requirements are so that we can work with the value chain actors in Uganda to ensure that what we produce can better meet the markets in Belgrade and the entire Balkans. Our products like coffee and fruits and vegetables are doing very well since we opened the Uganda Connect hub in Belgrade last year. This kind of thinking is what we want to promote to make sure we understand the requirements of the markets then go backward and work with the value chain actors so that market access can be promoted with ease.â
Commissioner for External Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Cleopas Ndorere said, âWay back as far as 1963, we signed a trade agreement with the then Yugoslavia which has since become Serbia, but a lot has happened since then. Uganda has since joined the World Trade Organization and other trade arrangements. So we will be looking at this trade agreement once again to do a surgery or upgrade to make sure it is still relevant to the trade situation in Uganda. We are happy with what we have seen so far. We look forward to improving our export volumes. We also intend to have a free zones hub at Entebbe where much of our coffee will be processed at a bigger scale which we will be bringing to Serbia which is at the center of western and oriental Europe. So, Serbia will be a trade hub to distribute to the rest of Europe and other surrounding countries.â
Also present at the dinner was Hon. Aleksander Adamovic, Serbiaâs Deputy Minister for Standards and Quality, and Ugandaâs Honorary Council to Greece, Ms. Villy Alexandrakis.
The Uganda-Algeria Trade and Investment Forum & Exhibition took place last week from 30th September to 2nd October at Hotel Africana in Kampala following a directive by Presidents; Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republic of Uganda and Abdelmadjid Tebboune of the Peopleâs Republic of Algeria in March 2023 where a delegation of 150 business people and entrepreneurs from Uganda attended a business forum in Algiers.
The Business delegation was led by Hon. Francis Mwebesa, Minister of trade, industry and cooperatives of the republic of Uganda and Hon Tayeb Zitouni Minister of trade for export promotion of the peopleâs Democratic republic of Algeria to participate in the Uganda Algeria Trade and investment forum and exhibition. They held Bi- lateral discussions and officially opened the first ever Uganda Algeria business forum witnessing the MOU between the two chambers of commerce and later the establishment of the Uganda Algeria Business council that will spearhead and over sea trade between the two countries.
The forum was attended by Hon Francis Mwebesa, minister of trade and industry, Hon Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Ps Geraldine Ssali, Permanent secretary (MTIC), Odrek Rwabwogo, Chairman Presidential Advisory Committee on exports and Industrial Development, Hon. John Mulimba, Minister of state for Foreign affairs, on Harriet Ntabazi, minister of state for trade, MS. Olive kigongo, president of Uganda national chamber of commerce and industry, among others.
Hon Teyeb Zitouni leader of the Algerian delegation was accompanied by Mr Kamel Moula, president of the Algerian economic renewal council employers foundation, Mr zaoui Hoicine, Director General Algerian Chamber of commerce and industry and Ms Ahlem Rahmani, deputy director in the Algerian Ministry of trade and export promotion among others.
The forum was also attended by Ugandaâs ambassador to Algeria H.E Alintuma Nsambu, Algeriaâs ambassador to Uganda HE Cherif Oualid, senior Government officials and captains of industries and private sector from both countries.
The ministers re stated the commitment of their respective countries in resolving challenges to businesses in Uganda and Algeria, among these are;
Strengthening corporate relations between private sector and governments
Strengthening trade business linkages for favorable balance of trade between Uganda and Algeria
Removal of all trade barriers and enhancement of free movement of goods,services, capital and labour.
Operationalizing of the Algerian Ugandan joint business council established to handle challenges of existing business communities.
Revenue authorities of both countries to hold regular meeting with the private sector to address challenges.
Accelerating processes of mutual recognition of standards and compliances for goods and services.( A draft agreement was drafted and was submitted by the Uganda National Bureau of standards to IANOR in this regard)
The following are the commitments welcomed by the forum
Bilateral cooperation in the field of education as one of the strategies of consolidating Ugandaâs human resource development efforts with an addition of 500 scholarships.
Further discussions to implement visa free entry between Uganda and Algeria in partial realization of the African continental free trade area (AFCTA)
Direct air linkage between Uganda and Algeria to facilitate trade through conclusion of a bi lateral Air services agreement (BASA). The ministers agreed that the two countries can start by using the existing infrastructure of Ethiopian airlines which has direct flights from Addis Ababa to both Entebbe and Algeria.
Rectification of the concluded agreements and memorandum of understanding in the fields of trade , energy, agriculture, animal health tourism, higher education and scientific research
Uganda asked for duty free access for milk powder worth USD 700m, coffee, beef, fruits, and tea in line with quality and standard requirements of the Algerian market.
Adhering to the guided trade initiative (GTI) of the African continental free trade area (AFCTA), a frame work for adopting reciprocal tariff offers on the agreed upon products originating and traded between Uganda and Algeria
Through the PACEID frame work, during the B2b sessions business deals and partnerships were welcomed;
A poultry factory in Uganda that also produces and packaging materials for poultry products, all eggs produced from this factory to be exported to Algeria in a period of 1 month.
An irrigation and water reservoirs demonstration facility in western Uganda effective immediately.
Collaborations in production and exportation of Shea butter from Uganda to Algeria.
Power distribution and street lighting in northern Uganda
In addition , investment projects in Uganda agreed for further discussions through the joint business council wee proposed in the production of pipes, cement production,poultry,steel and iron, oil and gas ,cosmetics, assemble of cranes and machinery, manufacture of irrigation systems, shoe manufacturing and manufacture of equipment for sewage
Furthermore the two delegations applauded the commitment by 14 Ugandan companies to export to Algeria as well to 17 Algerian companies who agreed to export products to Uganda, the Algerian delegation appreciated the government of Uganda on its progress and its promotion of the and exploitation of the oil and gas industry during a tour of the kabalega industrial park located in Albertine Graben in western Uganda.
The Algerian delegation commended the government of Uganda for convening the Uganda Algeria trade and investment forum and exhibition, and expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to them, the delegation also appreciated Ugandaâs cultural diversity displayed during the welcome working dinner hosted by the Presidential Advisory Committee on exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) on 30th September 2023 at the Sheraton hotel, Kampala.
The sponsors of the forum were, PACEID, Housing Finance Bank, African export import bank, Pearl diary Uganda coffee development authority and other stake holders were applauded by the 2 delegations for their role in the making of the forum possible and further noted that this kind of partnership between the government and the private sector is critical in growing business between the two countries.
Benton Technologies Company, one of Shenzhenâs leading manufacturers of laptop computers, tablets, desktops, and makers of educational software will be investing USD30m in an assembly and production plant of one million laptops and tablets for Ugandaâs primary and secondary schools. The company officials led by Mr. Li Kaifu and Mr. Victor Zhang on Saturday conducted the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) delegation in their high-level 20,000 square meter manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Shenzhen city of Guangdong province. The facility employs 300 people and produces 2000 units per day.
PACEIDâs nine-person trade and export delegation comprising of government and private sector officials, was led by Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo. The team was in China to conduct buyer-seller sessions for Ugandan agro-industrial products for the China market and attract investments in food and mineral processing in Uganda. Shenzhen town, which is close to Hong Kong, is one of Chinaâs fastest-growing electronics and export centers in the world. PACEID hopes to attract Chinese wholesale and distribution companies for Ugandaâs food products. Uganda has a target of new USD6bn in five years from coffee, grains, dairy, beef, bananas, poultry, fruits and vegetables, tourism, cement, steel, and some others from the thirteen key products the government is focusing on. PACEID has set a target of USD100bn work of exports by 2062 when Uganda makes a century as an independent country.
Benton Technologies, said Mr. Li Kaifu, âintegrates design, research, and development and is a producer of high-quality products in the computing industry for schools and institutionsâ He said, âIt is a great opportunity to partner with Uganda and fulfill the vision of President Yoweri Museveni to add value to your mineral products by assembling some of our products in Ugandaâ. He added, âUganda has provided good incentives to us and if we keep to the schedule, we should be able to bring in some inputs and assemble as soon as practicableâ.
The company which sells its products to Amazon, AT&T, Rakuten, and Target Retail, some of the largest retailers and telecommunications providers in the USA, visited Uganda in January this year and met President Museveni who requested them to fulfill the vision of a growing computing industry to support manufacturing in Uganda. The company produces seven- and fourteen-inch children’s tablets for schools, mini personal computers, Point of sales (POS) machines, and conference projection equipment.
Benton Technologies supplies 30 percent of its products to the US market,15 percent to Africa and the rest to the EU and South America market. It has 31 international customers including the governments of Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Kenya and Tanzania. The computing chip sets the company uses are made in partnership with USAâs Qualcomm and South Koreaâs Samsung. Odrek Rwabwogo told the Benton Technologies team, âUganda needs to graduate from the importation of PCs and tablets which cost us more than USD160m annually, and begin assembly and eventual manufacturing of these items in the country.
âThe cables, circuit boards, plastic coverings, packaging material, can all be produced in Uganda if we are disciplined and enforce standards and stop taking manufacturing with a sense of casualnessâ. He added, âI am impressed that the village of Shenzhen of forty years ago, where Deng Xiaoping passed in 1992 before retiring and said China will never be poor again, now receives orders of high-level products from all over the world and it is an excellent city to work and live. I believe that our country too can do this very soon if we keep focusedâ
Rwabwogo urged Benton Technologies to think through a full value proposition to Uganda incorporating energy solutions for the laptops to village schools, and internet accessibility to facilitate studies for studies and repairs and maintenance online. He also asked to think through a good distribution network that ensures products reach students and schools on time and are kept in good working condition for at least six years.
On Sunday, the PACEID traveled to the region of Xiamen to meet coffee processors and other commodity off-takers.
While on a five-day tour of China last week, the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) trade and export delegation met the countryâs largest importer of coffee into China, C&D Commodities Company, and made a case for Uganda coffee to be stocked in the companyâs 20,000 stores across China. Many international coffee companies have signed up for distribution of their coffees largely sourced from Africa and South America in China. C&D owns a subsidiary called Luckin Coffee, the largest in the country owned by the Government. The company imports green beans and currently roasts in the city of Shanghai.
In a session held on Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Chinaâs tourism city of Xiamen, central west China, the team presented Ugandaâs strategy for increasing roasted coffee sales into China to Mr. Bryant Du, Manager of Commodities for C&D company. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Huan Hu and other leaders for the companyâs global coffee purchases.
The PACEID nine-person delegation led by their chairman, Odrek Rwabwogo who is also Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, is composed of Ms. Brenda Opus, Head of Markets, Allan Mugisha, support officer on infrastructure, and other officers in the Information and technology sector. Rwabwogo told his hosts that, âUganda is open to work with C&D right from starting a large-scale farm if they so wish to set up roasting facilities in the country co-owned with Government where possible, and to support all export orders with crop finance. This will ensure the company buying coffee does not have to frontload funds till they have made sales and got awareness of the Uganda taste with Chinese consumersâ. The company raised issues of quality control, shipping and logistics, and payment systems which PACEID offered to resolve urgently to get the company in the country.
C&D Commodities is a USD150bn turnover company owned by the Chinese government since 1980. It is engaged in commodity trading, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics manufacturing and sales under license, textile production, infrastructure, and real estate. Its coffee subsidiary, Luckin Coffee Company, is one of the fastest-growing companies in China as coffee consumption expands with the increasing Chinese middle class. The country consumes more than 300,000 Metric tons, a third of this produced in China, and has over USD40bn in consumption expenditure.
Rwabwogo who made a presentation on tourism, industry, mining, and key agricultural projects in Uganda, said, âOur country and Africa know pretty well that prosperity is a shared risk as well as a gain. We no longer accept the stripping of the value of our commodities sourced from Uganda and the continent and little returns in jobs, technology, skills, and systems retained at home. This is why we share the risk in value addition of all our products. We will do whatever it takes to make sourcing, logistics, standards, and funding easier for you so that you can give us a portion of what you spend in South America and Vietnamâ.
Quoting Deng Xiaoping, the late leader of China who began the economic transformation of the country in the 1980s, Rwabwogo said, âPresident Xiaoping taught us to try experiments in special economic zones as he did here in Xiamen and Shenzhen. He told us âdevelopment must be taken carefully like a man crossing the river and groping for stones not to sink and to get to the other side of the riverâ. We too want to progressively end the dark stain of supplying raw commodities that we suffered for the last 100 years. We want to try out processing experiments in Uganda for all our commodities and if these work, the world is happy that one nation has overcome povertyâ.
The PACEID team also visited some of the largest cotton processing facilities in Guangdong province.
The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) has been instrumental in driving the growth of the country’s export revenue. Since its inception, March 16, 2022, its strategic initiatives and effective decision making have helped our nation expand its presence in international markets, leading to a significant increase in export volumes.
The committee is tasked with improving Ugandaâs foreign earnings to USD 6BN in the next five years and USD 100BN in 2062 from the prioritized thirteen (13) key products; Coffee, Tea, Fruits & Vegetables, Beef, Dairy, Vanilla, Grains, Sugar, Fish, Banana Flour, Flowers, Tourism, Cement and Steel.
Under the stewardship of Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo, who doubles as the Special Presidential Advisor-Special Duties (SPA-SD), PACEID advises President Museveni on the strategic and systematic interventions aimed at accelerating exports growth and industrial development for national transformation.
PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo discusses Uganda’s export with a business expert from UAE
PACEID, which aims to increase the competitiveness of Ugandan products and diversify Uganda’s export base, has enabled Ugandan companies to reach new markets and enhance their visibility on the global exports map.
Business Unusual
Under this module of disrupting the usual style of operation, as a new approach to export markets, PACEID in partnership with various stakeholders has rolled out a succession of trade, investment and tourism summits hosted in various countries within the East African region, rest of Africa and the world to identify off-takers of the 13 priority exports. The committee does not just look for new markets, but rather do it aggressively, intentional with every member mentally invested to ensure that these markets are fulfilled. So far, PACEID has organized close to ten of such trade missions in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where Uganda exported USD 267.19 million worth of goods as of two years ago, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. South Sudan in July 2022, UK in September 2022, US in December 2022 and South Africa in February 2023 are some of the other markets where PACEID made a strong case for Ugandaâs exports and appointed a Trade Representative (TR) in each of those. Some Ugandans might be thinking of this as a waste of money but fact is that these TRs are not paid a single shilling. They are selected for their independent personalities, passion and interest in promoting Ugandaâs products and services but most importantly, they believe in the vision Chairman Rwabwogo has for Ugandaâs exports and economy in general.
At these summits, exporters and trade experts partake in panel discussions, exhibitions and B2B sessions where participants from the public and private sectors network, share opportunities and identify strategies to position Ugandan products and services internationally and attract potential investors to Uganda. TRs provide technical expertise to help Uganda penetrate new regional and international export markets.
Uganda’s Trade Representatives during a forum at State House-Entebbe in March 2023
Unlike before, PACEID is playing a crucial role in lobbying for favorable trade agreements and policies. By engaging with government bodies and negotiating at international forums, the committee has successfully advocated for reducing trade barriers that have been hindering the free movement of Ugandan products, ultimately providing a conducive environment for our exporters to thrive.
PACEID, together with Ugandaâs Trade Representative in Serbia, Mr. Bratislav Stoiljkovic, went a step further at the recent mission and set up a Uganda Trade Hub âUganda Connectâ in Serbian capital Belgrade. The Hub, located in state-of-the-art central neighborhood Belgrade Waterfront, features a Ugandan coffee shop and market place for our fresh fruits and vegetables that Serbians cannot seem to get enough of and is an information centre for many who did not know about Uganda and its great tourist destination sites.
Yes, Serbia might be an emerging market economy in the upper-middle income range but what makes it strategic is that it is a gateway to the eleven countries in the Balkan region (south Eastern Europe) with a combined GDP of 100 Billion Euros. Serbia, because of its weather (mostly winter), consumes coffee worth 1billion Euros thanks to their extensive coffee consumption culture.
Uganda Connect hub in Serbia is the first of similar outlets that will be opened in several export markets to accelerate entry of Ugandaâs products in key markets in the region and beyond.
Last month, Mr. Clive Hunter from the UK Trade Representative office was in Uganda for two weeks on a fact-finding mission engaging key public and private stakeholders along the value chain, doing buyer assessment on the different export companies to establish their capacity to supply the key commodities identified by the buyers such as macadamia, cashew nuts, ground nuts, fruits and herbs and their capacity to meet the quality requirements for the UK market, home to some of the worldâs largest retailers in the world.
Clive Hunter from UK Trade Representative’s office was in Kampala recently assessing farmers’ capacity to export to the UK
Through PACEID, Uganda has been able to establish itself as a reliable supplier of various commodities such as coffee, tea, and horticulture produce. Through trainings in partnership with United Nations Development Program (UNDP), exporters have been able to improve the quality and standards of Ugandan products, making them more attractive to international buyers. This has in turn, slowly but steadily, boosted the confidence of international buyers in Ugandan products, leading to increased demand and exports.
By providing guidance and support to local industries, PACEID has facilitated the development of export-oriented sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and services that are enabling Uganda to establish itself as a competitive player in the international market.
The committee works closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, businesses, and development partners, to identify export opportunities, address barriers, and develop policies that promote trade and industrial growth.
PACEID has also been instrumental in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into Uganda by encouraging the establishment of export-oriented industries, leading to increased production and exports.
Overall, PACEID’s initiatives and strategies have been vital in putting Uganda on the global export map. The committee’s efforts have helped to enhance Uganda’s export competitiveness, attract investment, and promote market diversification, thereby contributing to the country’s economic growth and development.
âWe are creating a new pathway for Ugandaâs trade by going on the market from the farm through one shipper into supermarkets of another country. Uganda hasnât been able to do this in the past because of issues of standards, certifications, quantities and funding. This is a new way and we should not make mistakes because this will cost us jobs and tarnish our country’s image. We are encouraging consortiums or clusters of coffee, dairy, tourism, beef, fruits and vegetables and those who can come together to strengthen supply, quantities and deal with sustainability issues. If we donât act together, each of these companies is too small to do anything on the market.â says PACEID Chairman Rwabwogo.
One of the key achievements of the committee has been its focus on identifying emerging opportunities and promoting the export of high-value products. Through extensive market research and analysis, the committee has identified niche sectors where our nation has a comparative advantage and encouraged businesses to explore these untapped markets. This strategic approach has not only diversified our export portfolio but also helped us reduce our reliance on traditional sectors.
President yoweri Museveni with Trade Representatives
Chairman Rwabwogo has time and again labored to explain that exports canât happen unless you have infrastructure because improving infrastructure is crucial for enhancing international trade and boosting economic growth. It is upon this background that PACEID has a strong partner in Uganda Airlines which has done tremendously by opening direct routes to new markets that Uganda is looking to take advantage of. In the past two weeks alone, Jennifer Bamuturaki and her team launched the Entebbe-Mumbai where the national carrier will be flying to India thrice a week, a move that is highly appreciated by exporters. Uganda Airlines also launched the Entebbe-Lagos route which opens doors for Ugandan products into the Nigerian market whose GDP is expected to hit USD 489.80 billion by the end of 2023, according to Trading Economics global macro model and analystsâ expectations.
For this, PACIED is pleased that its message on developing of export infrastructure, routes, standards/compliance and markets is catching on. Uganda has a wealth of products and talent that deserve global recognition. PACEID is proud to partner with local businesses/private sector to promote Uganda’s exports and unlock new opportunities in international markets.
Uganda is known for its rich agricultural landscape, producing some of the finest coffee, tea, and cocoa beans on the continent. What many people aren’t aware of, however, is that Uganda is also a leading exporter of vanilla.
Uganda is currently exporting over 400MT of vanilla a year which is more than 50% production increment in a period of 5years.
Vanilla exports have shot up
According to Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB), Uganda exported 89.038 Tons of cured vanilla worth USD 8.33 million (30.5 billion shillings) by March, 2023.
Ugandan vanilla is a unique and highly sought-after product, simmering with natural flavors and fragrance that is exclusive from other vanilla products in the world. Itâs been described as “exquisite,” “delicious,” and “distinctive” by those who have had the pleasure of tasting it. It is for this matter that Ugandan vanilla exporters signed huge deals to export the product to Serbia during the opening of the Uganda Connect trade hub in Belgrade in July this year.
Simon Musisi-CEO of The Simons Uga Limited with some of his processed products
Simon Musisi, Chief Executive Officer of The Simons Uga Limited dealing in premium quality vanilla is one of those who signed deals. He is a processor and exporter of vanilla beans, powder and vanilla pure extracts. âVanilla processing requires a production team of persons who are trained and experts in that field in order to achieve a higher vanillin and good quality vanilla that can match the global standards of the international food industry.â he says. His major export market is USA and Europe.
The major markets for Uganda’s Vanilla include; USA, Indonesia, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, Belgium, South Africa, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, Mauritius, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Denmark, Check Republic, Switzerland and Republic of Korea.
One of the unique qualities of Ugandan vanilla is its hand-picked, thanks to farmers harvesting plants only when they reach maturity, using traditional and time-honored techniques to guarantee the quality of their crops. This dedication to quality ensures that the product is of high value to consumers who seek natural and unique products, which gives Uganda a competitive edge in the global market.
Uganda, the second-largest exporter of vanilla in Africa behind Madagascar, has various suitable growing conditions for vanilla, making it possible to produce a substantial and consistent quantity of vanilla beans every year. The country has two vanilla seasons, the June-July harvest and December-January harvest. The districts of Kayunga, Mukono, Mpigi, Jinja, Kmauli, Bundibugyo, Luwero and Kasese are the biggest vanilla growing regions in Uganda. Vanilla production of vanilla in Uganda is picking up, and farmers are working tirelessly to meet the growing demand for this natural and delectable ingredient.
Vanilla is a significant source of income for many small-scale farmers in Uganda. It provides a valuable opportunity for economic growth and stability in communities across the country. Musisi provides employment to thousands of people during the two seasons of vanilla harvesting. âWe directly work with more than 2000 farmers and over 10,000 farmers through general suppliers.â
Simon Musisi, CEO of The Simons Uga Limited is a vanilla exporter
Vanilla production is an ideal business for farmers in Uganda because it requires a relatively small amount of land and can be grown alongside other crops. This makes it an affordable crop for small-scale farmers who may not have access to a lot of land.
When it comes standards, Musisi says he does not compromise on quality as he always exports the best that meets regional and international standards. âVanilla is a raw material for the food industry, quality is a major requirement. Therefore, global food standards are mandatory. This is a major challenge that we have tackled through training our farmers and general suppliers to consider good agricultural practices. For example, farmers should not use pesticides on their vanilla farms or intercropping their vanilla gardens with crops that require pesticides, the farmers must harvest their vanilla after maturity and on proper harvest dates,â he emphasizes.
It is because of practices like these that Ugandan vanilla offers unique and exceptional taste and is highly valued in the global market. Uganda’s vanilla industry has transformed into a profitable export, driving economic growth and providing opportunities for local farmers. However, stakeholders must address challenges related to sustainability and market volatility to ensure the long-term growth and success of the industry.
Vanilla is one of the thirteen priority sectors the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) under the leadership of its Chairman, Odrek Rwabwogo, is working with to grow Ugandaâs exports revenue to USD6B and beyond by 2028.
Day one of the Uganda-Algeria Trade and Investment Forum & Exhibition kicked off today, Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Hotel Africana with delegates from both countries advocating for value addition and mutual respect for quality requirements. The forum will run throughout the weekend until Monday, October 2, 2023, under the theme; âHarnessing Benefits of AfCTA; Strengthening Bilateral Trade Relations Between Uganda and Algeriaâ.
The forum is being organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives in partnership with the National Chamber of Commerce, the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with support from the Uganda Marketers Society.
Odrek Rwabwogo with Dr. Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives
The Uganda Algeria-Business and Investment Forum aims to unite trade & investment policymakers, key business groups, trade institutions, and regional organizations from both Uganda and Algeria.
Geraldine Ssali, Permanent Secretary-Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives thanked the Algerian government for their cordiality. âWhenever we come to Algeria, we feel at home. I began to say Algeria is a home away from home for me. Thank you so much. We would like you to also feel at home.â she said.
Geraldine Ssali-Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives
She also expressed willingness to give Algerians free economic zones so that they can enjoy competitive prices from Ugandan producers so they donât feel the pinch of high costs of production when they come.
âIf we work with Algeria, gone will be the days of looking for a funder for our oil because they are self-sufficient in the oil and gas sector.” H.E. Alintuma Nsambu, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to Algeria noted.
H.E. Oualid Cherid-Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Algeria to Uganda
H.E. Oualid Cherif, the Ambassador of the Peopleâs Republic of Algeria to Uganda was pleased that the efforts between the two countries were crowned with the holding of what he referred to as a âhistoricalâ forum. âThis development comes as a translation of the strong will demonstrated by our two heads of state, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Mr. Yoweri Museveni, to further enhance these relations in the commercial and investment fields. Like Uganda, Algeria advocates for value addition to its raw materials and the diversification of its economy and its earnings by promoting the non-hydrocarbon exports and boosting the local production of goods and services,â he said.
PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo
Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, Chairman- of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development reiterated H.E. Oualidâs point regarding value addition as this will go a long way to boost trade relations between the two nations.
He also urged Ugandan exporters to be intentional by researching new markets to avoid entering them blindly. âWe need to be very intentional, very deliberate from studying the tastes & preferences of our brothers in Algeria & other markets we want to export to & ensure we know what to supply them in terms of standards, quantities and certification”. PACEID is tasked with growing Ugandaâs exports to USD6Bn by 2028.
PACEID’s Odrek Rwabwogo with National Chamber of Commerce’s Olive Kigongo
The President of the National Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Olive Kigongo encouraged Ugandan business people to explore Algeria and discover the opportunities it offers to gain a competitive advantage.
Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries said, “Opportunities abound in Uganda. We invite you not only to engage in trade with us but also to actively participate in the value-addition process.”
Miss Ndstefai Khaoula from the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency guided Ugandan traders through the company registration process for trading with Algeria, including the duration of the investment period offered to licensees. “The Algerian Investment Promotion Agency is actively engaged in promoting investment, providing information, streamlining registration procedures, and managing the associated benefits.” â she said.
Miss Ndstefai Khaoula from the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency
Others present were Dr. Francis Mwebesa- Cabinet Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Harriet Ntabazi, Amb. Katureebe Tayebwa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, John Mulimba-State Minister of State for Regional Affairs.
The Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) was commissioned by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on March 16th, 2022. PACEID acts as a think tank that advises H.E the President on the strategic and systemic interventions aimed at accelerating exports growth and industrial development for national transformation. PACEID, under the stewardship of Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo, is tasked with improving Ugandaâs foreign earnings from the current USD 6BN to USD 12BN and beyond from the prioritized thirteen (13) key products; Coffee, Tea, Fruits & Vegetables, Beef, Dairy, Grains, Sugar, Fish, Banana Flour, Flowers, Tourism, Cement and Steel.
Coordinated under the Office of the President, PACEID is specifically charged with among others advising H.E the President on practical ways and means of addressing the strategic and operational bottlenecks that impede Uganda from fully harnessing its industrial and export potential.
As a new approach to export markets, PACEID in partnership with various stakeholders has rolled out a succession of trade, investment and tourism summits hosted in various countries within the East African region, rest of Africa and the world to identify off-takers of the 13 priority exports. So far, PACEID has held five of such successful trade missions; the Uganda-DRC Summit in May 2022 in Goma, the Uganda-South Sudan Summit in Juba in July 2022, the UK-Uganda Business Summit in London, September 2022, the US-UG International Trade Summit & Exhibition in Chicago in December 2022 and the Uganda-South Africa Business Summit in Pretoria in February 2023. These summits feature exhibitions, panel discussions, expert presentations and B2B sessions where participants from the public and private sectors network, share opportunities and identify strategies to position Ugandan products and services internationally and attract potential investors to Uganda.
PACEID has also introduced the concept of Ugandan Trade Representatives (TRs) in targeted markets. TRs are selected for their independent personalities, passion and interest in promoting Ugandaâs products and services. To date, the PACEID Committee has appointed five TRs in key export markets; Justin Katoto for the Democratic Republic of Uganda (DRC), Cody Lorance and Olivier Kamanzi (both USA), Mark Pursey for UK, Bratislav Stoiljkovic for the Balkan region (south-east Europe) and Sam Montsi for South Africa. TRs provide technical expertise to help Uganda penetrate new regional and international export markets.
Last month, the exports advisory committee organized a two-days Trade Representatives Forum (TRF) where all relevant public and private sector institutions in the export space gathered to develop a singular view of what Uganda needs to achieve the USD 6BN target. Running under the theme âCOORDINATION TO DRIVE UGANDAâS EXPORT TARGETSTHROUGH TRADE REPRESENTATIONâ, the TRF was held at State House Entebbe on March 28th, 2023 and the OPM Conference Centre on March 29th, 2023 respectively. While at State House- Entebbe, President Museveni expressed his gratitude towards the TRs for their efforts to link Uganda with the big export markets they represent.
After, the TRs had the opportunity to visit key tourism destinations such as Murchison Falls National Park in Masindi and production sites including Tooke in Bushenyi, Ho and Mu Food Technology Company Ltd in Kapeeka, Sseko Designs in Bweyogerere and Zahra Food Industries Limited in Namave Industrial Park.
During the TRF, it was announced that Uganda will be opening a trade center for the Balkans region based in Belgrade, Serbia in June 2023. The center will sell Uganda coffee, bananas, chocolate, grains, and tourism in the region and it will be used as a staging ground for the six Balkan nations of central-southern Europe.
Following this, the Serbian Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade, Hon. Tomislav Momirovic and his delegation which includes Milos Adamovic (Assistant Minister), Marco Obradovic (Assistant Minister) and Ugandaâs Trade Representative, Mr. Bratislav Stoiljkovic, will arrive in the country on April 18, 2023, to meet H.E. the President the next day Wednesday, April 19, 2023, from 11am to 3pm at State House Entebbe.
The purpose of the visit is to deliver the invitation of the President of Serbia, H.E. Aleksander Vucic to President Yoweri Museveni for the latter to open the Uganda Trade center in June 2023.
The event will also witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, United Nations development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, to operationalize and match the Presidentâs export fund for coffee, fruits & vegetables, dairy, beef, Tourism and other products, to USD30M. The fund is for invoice underwriting for exporters to the new markets. This fund will address the financing bottlenecks that have directly been affecting export performance in priority sectors like agriculture and manufacturing.
H.E. Museveni is also expected to make a special Broadcast on the Tourism sector where Uganda is targeting USD1.5bn new revenue by 2027.
