President Yoweri Museveni has affirmed that the country will deepen its commercial focus on African markets following the recent announcement by the United States of a 10 percent tariff hike on goods imported from most foreign nations. Speaking through a broadcast shared by the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, President Museveni underscored the continent’s long-term demographic and economic potential as a rationale for pivoting away from dependence on Western trade partnerships.
“Trump has put a tax, what shall we do? You have Africa, work on Africa,” Museveni stated, alluding to the expansive and increasingly integrated African market. He emphasised that Africa’s population is projected to be the largest globally within the next three decades, potentially comprising a quarter of the global population. This demographic trajectory offers both scale and proximity, factors that render African markets increasingly attractive for Ugandan exporters and industrialists alike.
The United States’ decision to impose new tariffs—reportedly affecting a wide array of trading partners—presents a significant shift for Uganda, whose bilateral goods trade with the United States amounted to USD 238.9 million in 2024, according to data from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Uganda exported approximately USD 132.6 million worth of goods to the United States and imported USD 106.3 million in return. These figures represent a modest but symbolically important share of Uganda’s global trade portfolio, making diversification a logical response.
Odrek Rwabwogo, Chair of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development, provided further context in an interview with local media. He indicated that Uganda is already advancing efforts to expand its export footprint beyond the United States, with promising prospects emerging in both Europe and Asia. The United Kingdom, in particular, has demonstrated strong demand for Ugandan agricultural exports, notably coffee, grain, and bananas. With Uganda Airlines scheduled to launch direct flights to the UK imminently, logistical barriers to trade may soon diminish, opening additional avenues for Ugandan produce to reach European markets more efficiently.
The shift towards African trade aligns with broader continental strategies, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to enhance intra-African commerce through tariff reductions, improved customs cooperation, and regional value chain development. Uganda’s renewed focus may thus not only mitigate the adverse effects of external policy shifts but also contribute to regional economic integration.
This repositioning also reflects a pragmatic understanding of geopolitical realities and emerging economic centres. While traditional partners such as the United States and the United Kingdom remain valuable, Uganda’s evolving strategy indicates a desire to secure resilience by tapping into a broader matrix of trade alliances.
As Uganda adapts to a dynamic global trade environment, its strategic pivot underscores a growing recognition across Africa of the continent’s intrinsic economic potential. With concerted investment in logistics, policy harmonisation, and sectoral development, countries like Uganda may be well-placed to capitalise on the opportunities that lie within their own continental borders.
