UK Exports to Uganda

The UK exported US$81.14million worth of goods to Uganda in 2018 (up 50% compared to 2017). The UK is one of the leading investors in Uganda, with FDI international investment to Uganda increasing from £83million in 2017 to £195million in 2018

Uganda is a growing market and UK companies can find opportunities in many sectors, including agriculture, power, education & skills and oil & gas.

Agriculture remains the main growth area, and associated inputs, such as irrigation plant, agro-processing equipment and spares offer good prospects.

The main UK exports value to Uganda in 2018/2019 were:

·      Vehicles other than railway, tramway         ($20.43M)  

·      Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers $ (17.38M    )

·      Electrical, electronic equipment         ($8.46M)     

·      Pharmaceutical products          ($5.30M)

·      Optical, photo, technical, medical apparatus         ($3.94M)     

·      Printed books, newspapers, pictures            ($3.34M)     

·      Plastics         ($3.23M)

·      Miscellaneous chemical products      ($2.56M)     

·      Beverages, spirits and vinegar ($2.56M)    

·      Tanning, dyeing extracts, tannins, derivatives, pigments         ($1.35M)     

The main exports of Uganda to United Kingdom in 2018/2019 were:

·      Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers          ($2.67M)

·      Coffee, tea, mate and spices            ($1.89M)

·      Raw hides and skins (other than fur skins) and leather      ($1.77M)

·      Live trees, plants, bulbs, roots, cut flowers      ($743.73K)

·      Edible fruits, nuts, peel of citrus fruit, melons ($525.97K)

·      Salt, sulphur, earth, stone, plaster, lime and cement             ($424.51K)

·      Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers      ($396.95K)

·      Cotton     ($317.68K)

·      Manufacturers of plaiting material, basketwork        ($267.16K)

·      Beverages, spirits and vinegar      ($100.41K)

There are investment opportunities in the following sectors:

·       Agriculture - Tea, Coffee and Horticulture

·       Tourism - Hotels and Conference facilities

·       Building & Construction - Hotel upgrading and new, Housing

·       Energy - hydroelectric power. Infrastructure - Roads, ICT

·       Environment & Natural Resources - Water supply, Fisheries and Mining

·       Education - setting up institutions, Construction, educational materials, printing of certificates, Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

·       Finance - Banking & Insurance services

Uganda is one of the countries that attract the most FDI in East Africa. FDI flows to Uganda reached a record high of USD 1,3 billion in 2019, a 20% increase from USD 1 billion in 2018, thanks to the constant development of major oil fields and an international oil pipeline, as well as projects in construction, manufacturing and agriculture. FDI stock also grew to USD 14,3 billion in 2019. Due to the discovery of oil reserves, new investors might be interested in the country in the future. Also, according to UNCTAD report, some progress has been made in regulatory development in financial services (especially in insurance and capital market) and in privatization in banking for attracting FDI. On the other hand, Uganda is rich in natural resources. FDI mainly goes to the coffee and mining sectors. Kenya, Germany and Belgium are the country’s main investors.

Source: UNCTAD - Latest available data.

Further sources of Trade Statistics and Key Economic Indicators and other information on Uganda and UK include:

·       The Uganda Bureau of Statistics website: www.ubos.org.

·       The Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development website: www.finance.go.ug.

·       The National Statistics Information (www.statistics.gov.uk).

·       Library Service (NSILS) is a public library providing access to the statistical outputs of the Government Statistical Service (GSS) - (Tel: 0845 601 3034)(www.uktradeinfo.co.uk) supplies free UK trade statistics on a monthly basis.

·       HM Revenue & Customs, (www.hmrc.gov.uk).