Efficient logistics, infrastructure crucial for Uganda’s industrial competitiveness, experts affirm
Uganda’s aspirations for industrial competitiveness hinge significantly on robust trade facilitation and efficient transport infrastructure, experts affirmed at the NBS TV Breakfast Meeting on July 10th. The discussion, a precursor to the 2025 Regional Industrialization Conference (RIC 2025), brought together key stakeholders to align logistics and policy with the nation’s ambitious industrialization goals.
The urgency of the matter was underscored by Keneth Ayebare, Chair of the Transport & Logistics Committee at the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) Board, who cited figures from the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) indicating that logistics and transport account for a staggering 40% of production costs for Ugandan industries. This substantial burden directly impacts the competitiveness of locally manufactured goods in regional and international markets.
Anna Nambooze, Country Director for TradeMark Africa (Uganda & South Sudan), highlighted significant strides already made to alleviate these burdens. She pointed to the successful decentralization of Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) laboratories to regional hubs like Mbale, Gulu, and Mbarara, a move that has substantially reduced certification costs and time for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Nambooze also lauded the implementation of seven one-stop border posts, which have dramatically cut cargo clearance times from an average of seven days to less than two hours, a critical boost to cross-border trade efficiency.
Despite progress, substantial untapped potential remains. Experts at the meeting identified cold chain logistics, rail revitalization, and water transport as critical areas for future investment and policy focus. Mr. Ayebare emphasized that Uganda’s vast water bodies possess 18% of the nation’s transport potential yet remain largely underutilized. The private sector, through PSFU, is actively seeking supportive policies to bolster specific sectors such as beef processing, agro-logistics, and overall efficient freight movement, recognizing these as key drivers for industrial growth.
Uganda’s strategic central location in East Africa, bordering key regional markets, positions it uniquely to leverage efficient transport networks. The discussion emphasized that unlocking this potential hinges not just on physical infrastructure development but also on robust digital infrastructure. “Uganda’s competitiveness hinges on moving goods efficiently from farm to factory, market, and port,” a statement from the organizers underscored.
The discussions at the NBS TV meeting serve as a vital prelude to the 2nd Annual Regional Industrialization Conference (RIC 2025), scheduled for Tuesday, August 5th, and Wednesday, August 6th, 2025, at the Kampala Serena Hotel. Organized by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), the conference aims to further align government, private sector, and development partners in pursuing critical reforms and fostering sustainable industrial growth.
