Away from the political hullaballoo, 2018 was one of Uganda’s biggest trade facilitation years.
Unprecedented success was registered, resulting in to better access to trade information, faster cargo inspection, clearance and movement. Compared to 5 or 10 years ago, Uganda’s cross border trade is today much more effective and efficient thanks to joint efforts spearheaded by government, development partners and private traders.
Group photo of Trade stakeholders that attended the launch of the trade information portal.
Because I know for sure that my readers have had a busy 2018 and are now cooling off, making merry with family and friends, I will not bore them by diving in to details of this year’s accomplishments. To those unaware of what transpired in the year, I and many other people have written several articles on the same. You may want to visit the archives to keep tabs on what happened. I am not being braggadocious but that is the way it is!
Nonetheless, for the benefit of all, here is a summary of my 2018 trade facilitation highlights.
Efficient border crossing to boost trade between Kenya and Uganda with launch of Busia one stop border post. Presidents; Yoweri Museveni and Uhuru Kenyatta launched the Busia OSBP.
Launch of the Busia (UG/KE) One Stop Border Post
Launch of New Jinja Cable Bridge
Launch of the Elegu (UG/SS) One Stop Border Post
Launch of the non-intrusive cargo scanners at Busia and Malaba
Launch of the Uganda Trade Information Portal
On-going upgrade of the Malaba Border Post access roads
Continued roll-out of the Uganda Electronic Single Window platform
Launch of the construction of the Gulu Logistic Hub
Securing of funds for upgrading of the Tororo-Gulu Railway line
Kick-start of efforts to revive water transport as an alternative cargo transportation route around Lake Victoria. (I have seen the plan on paper).
The successful Global Logistics Convention held in Kampala.
The successful 2018 East African Trade Development Forum held in Kampala
Launch of the Busia (UG/KE) One Stop Border Post.
My best trade facilitators have been;
A cargo truck driver shares his views with Charles Achieng on how the non-intrusive cargo scanners are improving business.
The energetic and action-packed Charles Achieng – chairman Busia Cross Border Traders.
URA, UNRA and Ministry of Trade have been my best trade facilitation agencies. I thank them for doing their work.
TradeMark East Africa, supported by her partners has been the biggest Trade Facilitator not only in Uganda but across East Africa. Unless you have alternative facts, this team is steadfast and committed to improving trade and markets in the region.
My biggest trade facilitation let down in 2018 is/was the endless inconsistencies and uncertainties surrounding Uganda’s commitment to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project.
Minister of Works & Transport, Hon Monica Azuba Ntege monitoring SGR alignment in Malaba where Uganda & Kenya SGR will interchange.
Senior state officials continue to contradict each other on this project coupled with failure to confidently state the facts that stand in our realization of the same. For example, it is not rocket science to know that our realization of SGR is tied on Kenya’s SGR reaching Malaba.
Heavy trucks leaving Mirama One Stop Border post. For those doing business in Rwanda, the Ntungamo-Mirama road is a viable alternative.
Conclusively, in an era of so much pessimism, I choose optimism. I am super optimist that backing on the success we have already achieved, 2019 and the years to follow can only get better. But, as we pursue more success, we must jealous protect what we have because a Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush.
Otherwise, Feliz Navidad, próspero año y felicidad!
Merry Christmas. From HiPipo to everyone out there. GOD FIRST!
In a move aimed at promoting local recipes, Harris International, the manufacturers of Riham products has partnered with Signet World to bring to you the 2018 Pizza Festival, come Sunday, 9th December at Kyadondo Rugby club.
Dubbed Nsenene Pizza Festival, this ‘family day out’ event will have major Pizza production houses showcase over 10 different recipes among them the latest Nsenene Pizza.
While addressing the media at the pre-event presser, Rachael Luwedde, the public relations officer of Harris International Limited noted that Riham’s sponsorship of the Nsenene Pizza festival is part of its broad strategy of remaining true to Uganda through promoting, funding and partnering with local innovations.
“We are happy to support the Nsenene Pizza Festival. The Nsenene delicacy is one that brings a special feeling to those that love it. To many, it brings up great memories. But Sunday is not just about Nsenene as there will be other Pizza recipes on display. Importantly, the Pizza Festival will be a family day out. And where there is family, there is Riham thanks to our wide range of food and beverages products,” Ms. Luwedde noted.
Nsenene; called Grasshoppers or Ruspolia differens are a favorite delicacy in Uganda, mainly enjoyed with in Buganda/Central region. To many, Nsenene are their most beloved edible insects.
Harvesting of grasshoppers usually happens after the rains in the months of May, November and December. Because most Nsenene are harvested in November, the Baganda named this month ‘Omwezi Gwamusenene’ which when directly translated in English means the ‘month of grasshoppers’.
Hon Latif Ssebagala, the Kawempe North member of parliament, the area that is home to the two companies hosting the event noted that in order to positon Uganda as a unique and gifted destination, more effort needs to be channeled towards promoting local recipes and delicacies.
“The rolex is now a popular food because we gave it identity and promoted it globally. The same way we focused on rolex is the same way we should focus on other unique local delicacies such as Nsenene. I am very happy knowing that both companies that are spearheading this Nsenene Pizza festival come from the area I represent,” Hon Ssebagala said, adding;
“I can assure you that we shall do everything possible to promote Uganda. Nsenene has been here for years. Masaka district was initially the Nsenene main hub but lately Nsenene is all over the country. We now need to move to the next stage of preservation for long durations and exportation. This Nsenene Pizza festival is a value addition effort and we should do more in that direction.”
To be part of this event, revelers will pay UGX 10,000 per head while kids below 10 years will part with UGX 5,000 only.
About Harris International.
Hariss International Limited, commonly known as RIHAM is one of Uganda’s leading manufacturers of food and beverages. Since its inception in 2005 the production of both food and beverages have been operating under the brand name RIHAM. It currently operates a broad product portfolio comprising of Carbonated Soft Drinks, Natural Mineral Water, Juices, Malt & Energy Drinks, Premium & other biscuits.
MTN Uganda has today launched a new campaign that is a celebration of the twenty years it has operated in Uganda. The new campaign ‘Together, We Connect’, features a TV commercial, radio, print and billboards advertising, was launched nationwide on Monday 26th November 2018. An interactive digital campaign in line with the theme will also be launched later in the week.
Olivier Prentout, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Uganda explained that the campaign celebrates how society connects and in turn shows the role MTN has played in enabling people to connect over the last 20 years.
“We are humbled by the progress made by MTN Uganda in connecting Ugandans over the last twenty years; be it connecting families to their loved ones, businesses to customers or enabling friends to keep in touch,” he said.
In the TV commercial, there are several scenes that depict how by people coming together, the country is a better place. Through this campaign, MTN Uganda aims to demonstrate the power of connecting and how beautiful life can be if we live beyond our perceived differences.
MTN continues to show commitment on how it will enable connections. For the next 10 years, MTN will ensure that customers remain connected by enabling an efficient cashless economy through MTN Mobile Money and facilitating a faster and more convenient digital life through providing reliable and affordable data.
“While our products like voice, data, SMS or enterprise solutions are technology driven, we believe every Ugandan deserves the benefit of a connected and digital life. At the end of it all, our bigger success lies in what our services deliver and do in ensuring Ugandans are connected beyond social-cultural tensions or geographical ‘lines’, everywhere they go” Olivier added.
You can view the new campaign ad at: https://youtu.be/dCE4DPZZxvc
10KM Run Winners – Men
Position Race No. Name Country Race Time Cash Prize
1st 22473 Maxwell Rotich Uganda 00:29:47 UGX 1.5m
2nd 22547 Kevin Kibet Uganda 00:29:52 UGX 800,000
3rd 23403 Alex Chesuro Uganda 00:30:05 UGX 500,000
4th 12999 Philip Kipyeko Uganda 00:30:24 UGX 300,000
5th 22450 Andrew Kwemoi Uganda 00:30:28 UGX 200,000
10KM Run Winners – Women
Position Race No. Name Country Race Time Cash Prize
1st 23385 Chemutai Peruth Uganda 00:35:00 UGX 1.5m
2nd 25731 Chesang Annet Uganda 00:36:08 UGX 800,000
3rd 12998 Dorcus Ajok Uganda 00:36:25 UGX 500,000
4th 22485 Teddy Chekwemoi Uganda 00:37:30 UGX 300,000
5th 22463 Sharon Che Kwemboi Uganda 00:37:36 UGX 200,000
Key Highlights:
1. Ugandans have taken a clean sweep of both the women and men category of the 10km
2. Race completion times were slower this year compared to last year for both men & women categories
3. Alex Chesuro (men) was lucky this year as he finished 3rd – an improvement from last year when he finished 4th
4. Chemutai Peruth retained her 10km crown winning the 2018 edition – just as she did in 2017
???????????????????????????????????? MTN MARATHON OFFICIAL RESULTS – 21.1KM MEN & WOMEN
21.1KM Run Winners – Men
Position Race No. Name Country Race Time Cash Prize
1st 1391 Robert Chemonges Uganda 01:03:31 UGX 4.5m
2nd 1385 Martin Musau Uganda 01:03:32 UGX 2.5m
3rd 1386 Abel Chebet Uganda 01:03:40 UGX 1.5m
4th 2291 Kiplangat Victor Uganda 01:03:58 UGX 750,000
5th 2305 Ayeko Thomas Uganda 01:04:18 UGX 375,000
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21.1KM Run Winners – Women
Position Race No. Name Country Race Time Cash Prize
1st 2286 Linet Toroitich Chebet Uganda 01:16:08 UGX 4.5m
2nd 1379 Patricia Chekwemboi Uganda 01:16:37 UGX 2.5m
3rd 2313 Nyaboke Nyanamba Vene Kenya 01:17:12 UGX 1.5m
4th 2297 Cheptegei Rebecca Uganda 01:17:59 UGX 750,000
5th 2293 Chemos Viola Uganda 01:18:53 UGX 375,000
Key Highlights:
1. Ugandans have taken a clean sweep of both the men’s category of the 21.1km
2. Ugandan ladies took 4 out of the Top 5 slots in the women’s category of the 21.1km
3. Both men and ladies in this year finished faster than last year
4. No Kenyan finished in the Top 5 in the men’s category of the 21.1km unlike last year when a Kenyan was No. 3
5. One Kenyan lady (Nyaboke Nyanamba Vene) finished in the Top 5 in the women’s category unlike last year when no Kenyan lady was in the Top 5
6. Chemonges Robert (men) retained his 21km crown winning the 2018 edition – just as he did in 2017
7. Viola Chemos (women) improved from her 5th position in 2017 by coming 3rd in this year’s edition
FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES – PREVIOUS RACE RESULTS FOR MTN KAMPALA MARATHON – 2017
MTN MARATHON OFFICIAL RESULTS – 42.2KM MEN & WOMEN
42.2KM Run Winners – Men
Position Race No. Name Country Race Time Cash Prize
1st 49 Joshua Chemutai Uganda 02:18:27 UGX 20m
2nd 566 Kibet Soyekwo Uganda 02:18:43 UGX 10m
3rd 67 Kiplimo Philip Uganda 02:19:56 UGX 5m
4th 81 Kipngetich Kurgat Sammy Kenya 02:20:10 UGX 3m
5th 77 Bukose Francis Musani Uganda 02:22:27 UGX 2m
6th 93 Biegon Andrew Uganda 02:24:05 UGX 1.24m
7th 72 Kiptoo Philip Uganda 02:25:40 UGX 900,000
8th 84 Kiplop Moses Uganda 02:25:53 UGX 800,000
9th 538 Francis Keitany Kenya 02:26:50 UGX 700,000
10th 29 Alex Chebet Uganda 02:27:05 UGX 600,000
42.2KM Run Winners – Women
Position Race No. Name Country Race Time Cash Prize
1st 27 Nasimiyu Wafula Lydia Kenya 02:44.59 UGX 20m
2nd 82 Rael Kimaiyo Japyator Kenya 02:48:59 UGX 10m
3rd 39 Immaculate Chemutai Uganda 02:49:24 UGX 5m
4th 63 Chemutai Vanis Uganda 02:50:27 UGX 3m
5th 56 Daisy Jepkorir Kenya 02:52:11 UGX 2m
6th 65 Cheruto Jackline Uganda 02:58:54 UGX 1.24m
7th 80 Monicah Jepkorir Mengich Kenya 03:00:14 UGX 900,000
8th 62 Chemutai Helen Uganda 03:04:42 UGX 800,000
9th 94 Cheruiyot Bency Uganda 03:05:16 UGX 700,000
10th 60 Nyakisi Adero Uganda 03:12:47 UGX 600,000
Key Highlights:
1. Kenya’s Nasimiyu Wafula Lydia (women) and Uganda’s Joshua Chemutai (men) took the top honours in the 42km category each earning UGX 20m in the process
2. They both finished in better times than the winners last year
3. Ugandans have taken a clean sweep of the men’s category taking top 3 slots
4. It was a poor showing for Kipngetich Kurgat Sammy (men), the winner of the 2017 42km edition, as he finished in 4th position in this year’s edition
5. The only Kenyans in the top 10 men category finished in 4th (Kipngetich Kurgat Sammy) and 9th positions (Francis Keitany)
6. The only Kenyans in the top 10 women category finished in 1st (Nasimiyu Wafula Lydia), 2nd (Rael Kimaiyo Japyator), 5th (Daisy Jepkorir) and 7th (Monicah Jepkorir Mengich) positions
7. Kimaiyo Rael Jepyator (women), the winner of the 2017 42km edition, finished in 2nd position in this year’s edition
8. Monicah Jepkorir Mengich (women), who finished 3rd in the 2017 42km edition, finished in 7th position in this year’s edition
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Ms Damali Ssali, the Ag. Country Director TradeMark East Africa, Uganda believes that the recently launched Trade Information Portal will further improve the ease of doing business in Uganda through making information about Uganda’s exports, imports and goods in transit readily available for traders and consumers alike.
“The most recent World Bank Doing Business Report indicated that Uganda had declined from 115 in 2017 to 122 in 2018. We expect that the launch and operationalisation of the Trade Information Portal will contribute to Uganda’s improvements in the Word Bank ranking on ease of doing business in 2019,” Ms Ssali noted at the launch of the trade information portal.
“The Uganda Trade Information Portal is a trade facilitation platform providing access to fully transparent practical step-by-step guides to the licenses, pre-clearance permits and clearance formalities for the most traded goods in and out of Uganda: at each step, the trade portal tells the user where to go, who to see, what documents to bring, what forms to fill, what costs to pay, what law justifies the step and where to complain to in case of a problem.
“The Trade Information Portal is implemented by the Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC) and the National Trade Facilitation Committee, in partnership with the East African Community Secretariat (EAC) and with support from United States Agency for International Development (USAID), TradeMark East Africa (TMEA), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and International Trade Centre (ITC).
Group photo of Trade stakeholders that attended the launch of the trade information portal.
Below is her full speech from this event.
It is a great pleasure and privilege for me to address this very important gathering which is going to witness the launch of the Uganda’s Trade Information Portal.
We acknowledge and hugely appreciate that TMEA is funded by Governments of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the EU, Finland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
I am happy to note that TradeMark East Africa was created by the UK Government and that the UK is the biggest funder of TradeMark East Africa across the region.
I would also like to acknowledge the presence of the US-AID representative, Ms Sheila Desai, and convey our appreciation for the support provided to Trademark East Africa and Uganda to implement the Trade Information Portal that we are launching today.
Hon. Minister, as a Ugandan I am very proud of the achievements of your ministry.
Key among these are:
The ratification of the Continental Free Trade Area which is going to facilitate us as Africans to trade more with each other.
At the recent trade sector review, Hon. Minister, you presented data that indicated that since 2013 Uganda has been recording a net trade surplus with its neighbours in the East African Community.
For the year 2017/18 the net trade surplus with the community amounted to over USD400million.
This strongly demonstrates that Uganda has a comparative advantage on cross border trade and the ratification of the Continental Free Trade Area will further facilitate us to trade with the rest of Africa.
Again, at recent trade sector review, the ministry launched the Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises strategy; it is estimated that this sector alone employs over 3.5million Ugandans.
Hon. Minister we hope to work with the ministry on some of the implementation aspects of this strategy.
The ministry ratified the World Trade Organisation Trade Facilitation Agreement. This launch of the Uganda Trade Information Portal today demonstrates the ministry’s commitment to implementing this agreement.
I congratulate the ministry on the recent winning of the Digital Impact Awards for the implementation of the Non-Tariff Barrier Reporting System. This system can can be accessed by dialling *201#.
Ladies and gentlemen, over 82% of NTBs reported through this system have been resolved. This system has also been internationally recognised and was showcased at the WTO in Geneva last month as an innovative and inclusive tool to solve NTBs.
Over the last 2 years, the ministry has implemented the Uganda Electronic Single Window, which to date has over ten trade agencies transacting on it.
Some of these agencies transacting on the Uganda Electronic Single Window include: Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, National Drugs Authority, and Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and the Uganda Coffee Development Authority, among others.
Group photo of Trade stakeholders that attended the launch of the trade information portal.
The next phase will be to interface the electronic single window, which is transactional, with the trade information portal so that a trader, importer or exporter, canseamlessly interact and transact with both systems.
The ministry has championed the construction and operationalisation of the One Stop Border Posts at Mirama Hills the border with Rwanda, at Mutukula the border with Tanzania, at Busia the border with Kenya and at Elegu the border with South Sudan, which I believe has also contributed to improving Uganda’s trade balance on cross border trade.
Hon, Minister, certainly this list is not exhaustive, but I hope it does sample and demonstrate the work the you and your team have delivered.
Today, the launch of this Trade Information Portal is expected to further improve the ease of doing business in Uganda.
The most recent World Bank Doing Business Report indicated that Uganda had declined from 115 in 2017 to 122 in 2018. We expect that the launch and operationalisation of the Trade Information Portal will contribute to Uganda’s improvements in the Word Bank ranking on ease of doing business in 2019.
I would thank my colleagues:
Moses Sabiiti who wanted to be here today and he sends his regards,
Eugene Torero from our HQ in Nairobi who is our Director for Trade Policy and provides strategic guidance to policy matters,
Erick Sirali from our HQ in Nairobi, who has been the key liaison between the ministry and TradeMark on this project,
Kartan from UNCTAD who has provided technical assistance and last but certainly not least,
Sandra Kirenga Serwano who manages and is in charge for our trade portfolio at the TradeMark Uganda Country Programme.
I would also like to acknowledge some of the ministry team that has worked tirelessly, with us behind the scenes to get us here like Richard Okot, Josephine Karara and Mary Amumpire, Commissioner Silver Ojakol and Emmanuel Atwine.
And with that, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for listening to me.
Last Thursday, Uganda government and development partners formally handed over the new Elegu One Stop Border Post to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) – the agency charged with managing all the country’s borders.
This technical handover was graced by representatives from Uganda, South Sudan and development partners.
Costing up to about USD 10 million, the Elegu one stop border post (OSBP) was funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) through TradeMark East Africa and government of Uganda.
Hon Amelia Kyambadde, the Trade Minister shares a little moment with development partners from UKaid and TradeMark East Africa.
To many, the completion and consequent handover of this vital facility is a new beginning that will further improve trade between Uganda and South Sudan, which is by the way already massive with the latter ranking as the former’s second biggest exports destination.
According to statistics from the central bank, Uganda in the 2017/18 financial year alone exported goods worth USD 311.34 million to South Sudan compared to USD 14.54 million of imports from the same country. Uganda’s exports to South Sudan included informal exports worth USD 54.17m in the same period.
Furthermore, border records indicate that over 300 cargo trucks are cleared at the Elegu-Nimule border everyday. Plus, there are more than 1000 informal cross border traders operating in the same area.
In a brief interview with traders and truck drivers at the Elegu market, many were very positive that this milestone infrastructure would facilitate trade through reducing clearance times and increasing collaboration between the two neighbors.
“ It is the first of its kind. Our biggest problem has always been floods at the clearance point and delayed clearance. But we have been told that the Elegu border post will solve these issues. We are optimistic that business is changing for the better,” Mr Nyero Daniel, an informal trader noted.
Elegu one stop border post (OSBP) was funded by the United Kingdom’s DFID through TradeMark East Africa and government of Uganda to a tone of about USD 10 million.
Meanwhile Ms Molly Andego, a cross border trader noted that now that the infrastructure is in place, it should be equipped with all facilities that are in other OSBPs across the region.
“ We thank everyone that contributed to this. It has taken long but it is finally here. We expect that at the soonest, this Elegu border post will be fitted with all systems and resources like they are in Busia and Mutukula border posts.”
Slow Movement on South Sudan side.
Nonetheless, while the Elegu border post is ready to facilitate trade, the Nimule side is not. In functionality, a one stop border post connects two countries and as such, must have presence at both sides of the border, in this case Elegu for Uganda and Nimule for South Sudan.
Unfortunately however, even though DFID and TradeMark EA are committed to constructing the required infrastructure in Nimule, pockets of instability in South Sudan have delayed the process.
In a recent interview, Ms Damali Ssali, the Ag. Country Director TradeMark East Africa, Uganda noted that “For Nimule, due to the crisis is South Sudan; construction of the refugee reception area is underway. When peace returns in South Sudan, and funding is available, the Nimule border will be fully constructed.”
Mr Adrian Green, the Head of Growth and Economic Management at UKAid chats with Hon Mou Mou Athian Kuol, the undersecretary in South Sudan’s ministry of Trade, Industries and East African Community affairs.
But according to Hon Mou Mou Athian Kuol, the undersecretary in South Sudan’s ministry of Trade, Industries and East African Community affairs, the recently signed peace agreement between H.E Salva Kiir and former Vice President – Hon Riek Machar will last and thus the construction of the Nimule border post will be fast-tracked.
Hon. Mou Mou Athian Kuol further promised that together with the S Sudan cabinet, they are going to make sure that Ugandan Traders are not mistreated in S Sudan.
“I have noted the issues about continuous mistreatment of Ugandan Traders by our people of South Sudan. As soon as I go back to South Sudan, I am going to table these issues to my bosses in the cabinet. I promise that this will be addressed. There is no reason for mistreating people that bring goods and services to us. We are all in business and we need each other,” Hon Mou Kuol noted.
The Elegu OSBP is among the over ten one stop border posts constructed by TradeMark East Africa in the East African Community. The others include; Mirama Hills Uganda / Kagitumba Rwanda, Busia Kenya/ Busia Uganda, Malaba Kenya / Malaba Uganda, Taveta Kenya / Holili Tanzania, Mutukula Tanzania / Mutukula Uganda, Kobero Burundi/ Kabanga Tanzania and Tunduma Tanzania.
