Uganda has reported a substantial increase in its merchandise imports, reflecting a 45% growth over the past year. This surge is indicative of the country’s expanding economic activities and increasing demand for foreign goods.
The latest data reveals that Asia remains Uganda’s largest source of imports, accounting for 41.2% of the total imports. Within Asia, China and India are the major contributors, together comprising 61.9% of the imports from the region.
The increase in imports is primarily driven by higher volumes of mineral products (excluding petroleum products), machinery equipment, vehicles and accessories, and electricity. This trend underscores the country’s ongoing infrastructure development and industrialization efforts.
While imports have seen significant growth, Uganda’s export sector has also been active. The country’s merchandise exports totaled $6.3 billion in 2023, with major export destinations including the United Arab Emirates (21%), Kenya (11.6%), India (11.5%), South Sudan (8.5%), and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These developments highlight Uganda’s dynamic trade environment and its increasing integration into the global economy. The government continues to focus on policies that promote both import and export activities to sustain economic growth.
