Category: Press Releases

Uganda is now prepared to increase trade with the continent’s regional blocs after it became apparent that it can reap just as much or even more from regional intra-trade than with its traditional trade partners in the EU and the Asian markets. The Trade minister, Amelia Kyambadde said she is committed to ensuring that Uganda fully takes advantage of regional intra-trade through provision of inducement. Speaking early this week at the Comesa Business Forum, Ms Kyambadde said: “We have for long focused on foreign investors, it is high time we started looking at indigenous trade because its impact can be …

Implementing H.E the President’s Directive to Stop illegal Fishing on the Lakes of Uganda Government has noted with serious concern the depletion of the fisheries resources in the country due to illegal and unsustainable fishing practices. In accordance with the External Trade Act, the EAC Customs Union Protocol Article 22, and the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT) Article XX, and in order to address the challenges of depletion of the fisheries resources; the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives hereby notifies the public of the following measures undertaken to streamline sustainable trade in fish and fish products: 1. …

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives has Launched the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) Action Plan that contains details of activities, time frame for implementation and Officers to deliver on the key result areas by the Ministry. In this Action Plan, the Ministry will deliver on the following; taking stock of the local producers and service providers, enhance the quality and competitiveness of local products and services, Increase the visibility of local products in local outlets, increase awareness about the BUBU Policy and others. Minister’s Speech – BUBU Action Plan.pdf …

We bring you the first edition of “The Trade Journal” of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. It is a quarterly publication which highlights events, activities,programs and achievements in the trade,industry and cooperatives sector. Volume 1 issue 1 January 2016 :Trade Journal Issue 1 2016 Volume 2 issue 2  April  2016   :Trade Journal issue 2 2016 Volume 3 Issue 3 April 2016: Annual Trade Journal 2016 …

President Museveni has advised the Comesa member states to shift to intra-regional and local trade. Speaking at the closure of the Comesa meeting in Kampala on Friday, President Museveni said: “The problem is not the market, but the entrepreneurs to take up the opportunities available.” According to President Musveni, Uganda’s growth was halted by conflicts that peaked during the 1970s with the expulsion of Indians who were the drivers of the economy. The president argued that Ugandans who later inherited the Indian businesses run them down explaining why there is no strong Ugandan high caliber entrepreneurship, save for a few …

President Museveni has discouraged a political integration at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) level, saying it is “unrealistic”. According to the President, it does not make sense for the 19 Comesa members to federate politically. “At the EAC (East African Community) we are doing the economic integration and then move to a political federation. But for Comesa, it should be economic integration because political federation is unrealistic,” he said. Mr Museveni made the remarks on Friday while addressing the 16th Comesa Heads of States Summit at the Commonwealth Speke Resort- Munyonyo. The Summit was organised under …

Leaders of the Great Lakes region and COMESA member states after attending the 5th Extra ordinary summit at Munyonyo. Member states of the Common Market of East and Southern Africa (COMESA) have resolved to fast-track the implementation of joint infrastructure projects in railways, energy, roads and ICT to boost regional development. This was contained in the final statement issued on Saturday at the end of the 16th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government in Kampala. The nine-day event was held at the Speke Resort Munyonyo under the theme: “Enhancing intra-COMESA trade through micro, small and medium enterprise development.” …

Six presidents have confirmed participation in next week’s COMESA heads of state summit to be held on November 23, 2012 in Kampala. Amelia Kyambadde, minister of trade, industry and cooperatives on Thursday announced that presidents Mwai Kibaki ( Kenya), Salva Kiir (South Sudan,) Paul Kagame (Rwanda,) Pierre Nkurunziza (Burundi), Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) and Joyce Banda(Malawi )will attend the presidential summit while Eritrea, Ethiopia, Comoros, Swaziland, Seychelles and Zambia will be represented by their vice presidents. Cabinet last Wednesday approved a recommendation by the minister of trade for Uganda to join the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) free …

President Yoweri Museveni on Friday assumed chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) regional economic bloc. Museveni takes over from the outgoing President Joyce Banda of Malawi who handed over the chairpersonship during the 16th summit of the COMESA heads of state and government. The summit taking place at the Speke Resort Munyonyo will close on Saturday, and is taking place under the theme, “enhancing intra-COMESA trade through micro, small and medium enterprise development.” President Museveni in his address said that African economies are too divided up, which undermines their profitability and countries cannot attract foreign …

The African heads of state meeting in Kampala is today expected to adopt a report on regional trade, arising out of a meeting of the Council of Ministers. The spokesperson of the foreign affairs ministry, Elly Kamahungye, said the council had met earlier and completed a report, which makes key recommendations on a number of issues, including regional trade. Kamahungye yesterday said the heads of state will discuss how to move the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) economic bloc forward after most member states ratified the Free Trade Arrangement (FTA). “The FTA means that member countries have …