Category: Daily Monitor

The Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education programmes have contributed tremendously towards increasing the number of pupils and students in schools across the country.

The introduction of UPE in January 1997 and USE in February 2007 enabled pupils and students, who previously were not going to school because their parents were too poor to afford school fees, to attain education. Over the years, several UPE and USE beneficiaries have made a name for themselves and contributed to the country’s development in various sectors.

That said, the two programmes face a host of challenges that the government must expeditiously resolve to ensure that children get quality education irrespective of their parents’ financial standing.

These challenges are explicitly detailed in a story titled ‘Rising enrolment puts strain on UPE schools,” which we published on Monday, June 22. The story details challenges faced by UPE schools in Buikwe District. They include shortage of teachers, desks, classrooms, toilets and learning materials, among others. These problems afflicting UPE schools in Buikwe are also faced by other UPE and USE schools countrywide. The increase in enrolment of learners is, unfortunately, not matched by a corresponding increase in the number of teachers. This imbalance compromises the effectiveness of teaching. With the high number of learners, a teacher is tasked with handling, learning is severely impeded.

The heavy workload also adversely affects the teachers physically and psychologically. Shortage of classrooms compel teachers to crowd learners in the few available ones, causing discomfort to learners and impeding the learning process. Some schools have resorted to conducting lessons under trees because of the shortage of classrooms, while others make do with rickety, makeshift structures that, under normal circumstances, should not be used as classrooms. Furthermore, the shortage of desks, which forces learners to squeeze themselves on the few available ones while others have no choice but to sit on the floor, is a hindrance to education because it causes discomfort, with learners struggling to write notes and do assignments given to them.

The shortage of pit-latrines is of particular concern because some learners have resorted to easing themselves in the nearby bushes. This is dangerous because it can lead to an outbreak of deadly sanitation-related diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Furthermore, some parents have abandoned their duties to provide things like scholastic materials and meals to their children under the misconception that it is the duty of the government to provide these essentials to the beneficiaries of UPE and USE.

We call upon the government to increase funding to the two programmes to ensure that they run smoothly. Enough money should be provided for the construction of classroom blocks, procurement of desks and learning materials. The authorises must also ensure that more teachers are hired and more pit-latrines constructed. To the parents, we say, do not abandon your responsibility of catering for your children to the government. Cooperate with the government to enable your child to have a bright future.

The Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT) delivered a mixed verdict in a high-stakes tax dispute involving Kuku Foods, the operator of KFC restaurants in Uganda, ruling that the company is liable for capital gains tax arising from a change in its ownership structure.

However, the Tribunal directed Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to recalculate the disputed Shs4.2b assessment.

The ruling marks a significant development in Uganda’s growing body of jurisprudence on capital gains taxation, particularly in relation to indirect transfers, offshore corporate transactions, and changes in beneficial ownership involving companies with assets and operations in Uganda.

How the dispute arose

Documents filed before the Tribunal indicate that the dispute arose after URA issued a capital gains tax assessment of Shs4.2b against Kuku Foods following a transaction that altered the company’s underlying ownership through entities within its wider corporate structure.

URA argued that the transaction triggered a change-of-ownership provision under the Income Tax Act, which is intended to ensure that gains arising from significant shifts in ownership of companies holding Ugandan assets are subjected to taxation.

URA noted that the law was designed to prevent taxpayers from avoiding tax obligations by structuring transactions through foreign holding companies or conducting transfers outside Uganda while retaining valuable assets and business interests within the country.

Challenged assessment

Kuku Foods challenged the assessment before the Tribunal, arguing that URA had wrongly interpreted the law and improperly imposed tax liability on the company.

According to the proceedings, Kuku Foods disputed both the legal basis of the assessment and the methodology used by URA in arriving at the tax figure.

Kuku Foods contended that the transaction in question did not give rise to a taxable gain in the manner alleged by URA and that the assessment failed to properly reflect the requirements of the Income Tax Act.

The company further questioned URA’s valuation approach and argued that the authority had not sufficiently justified the amount claimed.

The dispute subsequently evolved into a broader contest over the scope of Uganda’s capital gains tax regime and the extent to which ownership changes occurring through offshore corporate structures can attract tax obligations in Uganda.

Tribunal backs URA

In its decision, however, the Tribunal sided with URA on the central legal question.

The Tribunal found that the ownership changes fell within the ambit of Uganda’s change-of-ownership provisions and that the transaction constituted a taxable event under the Income Tax Act.

The Tribunal held that Parliament enacted the relevant provisions to ensure that gains connected to Ugandan assets do not escape taxation merely because transactions are structured through foreign entities or executed outside Uganda’s borders.

According to the Tribunal, the law focuses on the economic substance and effect of a transaction rather than solely on its legal form.

The ruling emphasised that where there is a significant change in the beneficial ownership of an entity holding assets in Uganda, the tax consequences provided for under the law may arise regardless of whether the transaction takes place directly or indirectly.

The Tribunal, therefore, rejected Kuku Foods’ primary challenge and upheld URA’s position that the ownership restructuring triggered tax liability.

Assessment found wanting

While URA prevailed on the issue of liability, the Tribunal did not uphold the assessment in its entirety.

A key aspect of the dispute concerned the manner in which URA calculated the tax payable.

After reviewing the evidence and submissions presented by both parties, the Tribunal found shortcomings in the computation underlying the Shs4.2b assessment.

According to the ruling, URA did not sufficiently demonstrate how it arrived at the final figure and failed to adequately justify certain elements of the calculation.

The Tribunal held that although the transaction itself was taxable, the assessment could not stand because the computation did not fully satisfy the legal and evidential standards required for determining the taxable gain.

In particular, the judges stressed the importance of applying the statutory formula correctly and ensuring that assessments are supported by a transparent and verifiable methodology.

The Tribunal observed that the legitimacy of a tax assessment depends not only on the existence of a tax liability but also on the accuracy of the calculations used to quantify that liability.

As a result, the Tribunal set aside the Shs4.2b assessment and directed URA to undertake a fresh computation in accordance with its findings.

‘The assessment is set aside for purposes of recomputation,’ the Tribunal ruled, while maintaining that the underlying transaction remained subject to tax.

Partial victories

The outcome means that both parties secured partial victories.

For URA, the ruling validates its interpretation of the Income Tax Act and affirms its authority to impose tax on certain ownership changes involving entities holding Ugandan assets.

For Kuku Foods, however, the decision removes the immediate obligation to pay the disputed Shs4.2b and gives the company another opportunity to scrutinise and, if necessary, challenge any revised assessment that may emerge from the recomputation process.

Wider implications

The ruling is likely to have implications extending well beyond the parties involved in the case.

The decision provides fresh guidance on the interpretation of Uganda’s capital gains tax provisions, particularly in relation to mergers, acquisitions, group restructurings, and offshore share transfers.

Companies operating in Uganda through complex international corporate structures may now face increased scrutiny from URA whenever significant changes occur in ownership at the parent company level.

The ruling also serves as a reminder that tax authorities must meet a high standard when calculating assessments, especially in cases involving large and technically complex transactions.

Even where liability exists, assessments may still be overturned if the methodology used to determine the tax payable is found to be flawed, unsupported by evidence, or inconsistent with statutory requirements.

The Kuku Foods dispute highlights two important principles emerging in Uganda’s tax jurisprudence: ownership changes involving Ugandan assets can attract tax obligations even when transactions are structured through offshore entities, and tax assessments must be supported by rigorous calculations capable of withstanding judicial scrutiny.

With the matter now returning to URA for a fresh computation, the final tax bill remains uncertain.

The recalculation could still result in a substantial liability running into billions of shillings, meaning the dispute may not yet be over.

The Tribunal’s ruling has established an important precedent in Uganda’s evolving tax landscape and will likely be cited in future disputes involving capital gains tax, indirect transfers, and corporate ownership changes.

Just days after nearly 20,000 runners conquered the punishing 85.77km from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, Uganda’s Comrades Marathon story is no longer just about finish times. It is about growth.

From just 12 finishers in 2023, Uganda more than doubled that number in 2024, rose to 39 finishers in 2025, and had 58 Uganda-linked runners complete the 2026 edition of the iconic ultramarathon in South Africa.

At the front of that expanding charge was debutant Cosmas Olemukan, who clocked six hours, 36 minutes and 36 seconds to finish as the fastest among the Ugandan contingent.

Challenging oneself

‘I have been running for the rest of my life,’ Olemukan said. ‘It was all about challenging myself, checking how far I can go. Not the best that I wanted, but next time better. But I’m happy with the results, being the first one.’

His journey to South Africa was also a story of community.

Olemukan’s trip was made possible by Uganda’s running fraternity, which mobilised support to get him to the start line.

‘I want to take this honour to thank God, the team that led the drive and everyone that supported me physically, financially and psychologically,’ he said.

‘I am humbled. I believe we are capable of more. For God and my country.’

Those who know Olemukan’s story will hardly be surprised by his endurance.

Away from competition, Olemukan works as a sports masseur with Body Garage and is famed in Uganda’s running circles for an unusual post-race routine: finishing well ahead of the pack and then spending hours massaging athletes who arrive long after him.

Memorable tales

His performance led a strong Ugandan showing that also had Bonita Mulelengi finish as the fastest woman in 9:07:42.

The race also produced one of the most memorable Ugandan stories of the day.

Young Arnold Katende finished inside 10 hours, clocking 9:59:42, after making the start line with his father Robert.

The elder Katende was forced to retire at 77km due to severe discomfort, but their shared journey to the start line offered another powerful glimpse into the family and community spirit behind Uganda’s expanding Comrades presence.

Of the 58 finishers, 54 were men and four were women, with Team Matooke, Fast and Furious Runners Club, Gutsy Bunch Running Club and Sure and Steady Hikers among the clubs strongly represented.

What was once a niche pursuit is steadily becoming one of Uganda’s fastest-growing recreational sporting movements.

And if the climb from 12 finishers in 2023 to 58 in 2026 is any indication, Uganda’s Comrades journey may only be getting started.

Uganda at Comrades Marathon 2026

Total Finishers: 58

Male Finishers: 54

Female Finishers: 4

Fastest Ugandan: Cosmas Olemukan – 06:36:36

Fastest Ugandan Woman: Bonita Mulelengi – 09:07:42

Top Ugandan Men

Cosmas Olemukan – 06:36:36

John Ssembogo – 07:13:09

Gadafi Ssali – 07:36:52

Emmanuel Nsubuga – 07:50:45

Christopher Musenze – 08:07:22

Amos Rwot Omio Opio – 08:17:12

Joseph Mukama – 08:26:22

Alex Matovu – 08:30:21

Samuel Mosebi – 08:44:18

Don Akatukunda – 08:44:40

Women

Bonita Mulelengi – 09:07:42

Hilda Kakuru Nkoola – 10:01:36

Shamim Perry Saidia – 11:40:15

Janet Nakkazi – 11:51:18

In public speeches, President Museveni likes using statistics to persuade and sway even sceptics about the economic dividends of accelerated investments in infrastructure. Whether it is railways, roads or hydro-dams, Mr Museveni specifies an expected drop in haulage costs, the internal rate of return per every kilometre of paved thoroughfare, and/or per-capita kilowatt consumption symbolising development. That has portrayed him as a fastidious leader. However, in February 2026, he sprang a surprise by directing Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to galvanise bureaucrats to aid a Ugandan-Chinese consortium to build an international airport in Mbarara City, despite the absence of a feasibility study.

The Ugandan promoters of the intended Nyakisharara International Airport project, whom the head of State met in September 2025 and again in February this year, are Base 7 Aviation International Academy, currently domiciled at the aerodrome, and Hamster Business Solutions, the consultant. Three other firms have been onboarded: China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute, to conduct the feasibility study and provide architectural designs; Hunan Construction and Investment Engineering Company, designated to carry out the engineering works; and Blackrock Uwekeza, the earmarked financer.

Without a feasibility study, there is no verdict on whether the planned project is implementable or viable. There is not much information about it other than the President’s revelation that it will have two 5.5-kilometre runways and a 3.5-kilometre runway exclusive for Very Important Persons (VIP), making it rival some of the largest airports in the world. The cost of building the international airport has not been disclosed; there are no projected passenger numbers and cargo volumes, and the establishment of the facility is not provisioned in Uganda’s fifth national blueprint, the National Development Plan (NDP IV). In addition, there is no explanation, at least publicly, why Nyakisharara is not being developed incrementally, as has been the case with Entebbe International Airport, and no pointers to advantages it has over other airports within the country and region.

Aviation consultant Sean Mendis of Malawi said countries like Ethiopia did not become international aviation hubs overnight. They developed over decades, he said, supported by national carriers and consistent demand. Uganda, by contrast, has struggled repeatedly to sustain a viable national airline and is now ramping up the construction of international airports without defined demand. For instance, the Kabalega International Airport in Hoima, pegged to the nascent oil industry, is nearly complete, and President Museveni early this month launched the construction of Kidepo International Airport in Karamoja, bankrolled by Emirati investors, to boost tourism and commerce.

On June 18, the African Development Bank approved Euros 156m (Shs650b) for upgrading Arua airfield in northwestern Uganda, the second busiest aerodrome in the country, to an international airport to mainly promote international trade. In the southwestern Ntungamo District, the government is setting up another international airport, code-named Coffee International Airport, to boost tourism and trade in agriculture. The rising number of international airports, according to industry insiders, is good news as they provide alternatives to Entebbe, the country’s only international air gateway, saving time and resources for businesses and travellers, but questions remain over business prospects.

As such, aviation experts, among them Mr Mendis, suggest that Uganda should focus on developing regional and domestic aviation markets and building an airport closer to Kampala to supplement Entebbe, whose future expansion is constrained by natural barriers. ‘Nobody can argue against an airport with a 5-6 million annual capacity located in the Kampala area,’ he said in reference to estimated passenger traffic at Entebbe International Airport by 2033 when ongoing expansion is completed.

‘A project like that of (Mbarara) at [a grand] scale? No,’ he noted. In a briefing to Prime Minister Nabbanja early this year, Mr Eddie Kisitu Sengendo, a shareholder/director in Hamster Business Solutions Limited and consultant for the Nyakisharara project, said: ‘This facility (planned Nyakisharara airport) is actually aimed at snatching about thirty percent of traffic from the rest of the airports known.’ These number roughly 1,200-1,300 in the world, with Uganda, since 1951, having one international airport at Entebbe peninsula, whose annual passenger traffic, according to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, has increased to 2.4 million over thirty-four years. For this reason, Mr Mendis told this newspaper that the Nyakisharara International Airport project is a pipe dream, and questioned if it was conceptualised for political rather than economic reasons.

‘It’s puzzling,’ he noted, adding that ‘there’s nothing about this misguided infrastructure project that should be taken seriously from an aviation perspective’. The elevation of the current airfield at Nyakisharara, at 4,600 feet above sea level, would disadvantage the planned airport because aircraft departing would have payload restrictions. ‘The higher an airport is located, the thinner the air density. This means aircraft cannot lift as much load either in fuel or cargo/passengers than they can at sea level,’ he said.

This explanation, which other aviation experts have not challenged, strikes at the heart of the very basis upon which President Museveni and promoters relied to pitch the development of Nyakisharara as game-changing. Nyakisharara, they noted, is positioned by nature as a mid-point between Latin America and Asia, specifically Brazil and China, meaning airlines would save on fuel and time (the President estimated by 14-22 hours) by connecting through western Uganda rather than via Europe.

‘However, their [current] route of communication is wholly irrational and uneconomic. It is South America, over the Atlantic, over Europe, Asia, etc to China and back. It takes 34-42 hours,’ Mr Museveni noted, adding: ‘Yet, if someone was to come from Brazil, refuel at Nyakisharara, it would take him 20 hours of flying time.’ An aviation expert, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, in an analysis for this newspaper, concluded that transiting from either Brazil or China through western Uganda is a slightly longer distance than connecting via Spain or other European capitals. For instance, a flight from Sao Paulo to Nyakisharara, which is roughly 8,660 kilometres, is estimated at 9-10 hours at a typical 850-900 kilometre-per-hour long-haul cruise, while the 9,700-kilometre Nyakisharara-Peking (Beijing) trip would take 10-11.5 hours, subject to weather and aircraft type.

That’s a 21-hour flying time, adding to refuelling delays or layovers. Conversely, according to the analyst, a trip by plane from Brazil to China, with a stop-over in Madrid, would be 800 kilometres and an hour or so shorter. ‘The proposed Uganda routing is a detour, not a shortcut,’ according to the analysis. It adds:’The claim of current routes taking 32-42 hours is … inflated. Real one-stop flights [between] Brazil [and] China (via Europe, Middle East, or [the] US) are typically 23-27 hours lapsed, with 18-20 hours in the air across two legs.’ State House declined to comment on the economic viability of the intended Nyakisharara airport project, which President Museveni directed to be executed, referring our inquiries to line technocrats who were reluctant to speak either.

‘At the moment, I do not have verified information on the matters [that] you have raised and would not want to comment before establishing the facts,’ said Mr Sandor Walusimbi, the senior presidential spokesman. The suggestion that it possibly takes longer and is more expensive to connect via Nyakisharara than Europe contradicts the salesman’s pitch that the planned new airport would be a more affordable, centrally-located transit, refuelling and cargo hub. Dr Fred Muhumuza, an economist, said the government would require massive investment in utilities, security, healthcare, and connectivity to make the planned airport operational, despite its intended construction under a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement.

Mr Mendis earlier argued that the airport project makes little to no economic sense because no more than 200,000 passengers take a Brazil-China-Brazil flight a year which, by contrast, is less than the number of Ugandan domestic workers exported to the Middle East. Data from the International Air Transport Association, which brings together global airlines, has a more modest estimate of passenger numbers between Brazil and China, with most cargo – predominantly iron ore and soybeans – shipped via the ocean waters.

Mr John Baptist Eidit, an aerospace engineer and lead instructor at Jojam Aviation Academy, told our sister NTV-Uganda television station that Entebbe could have served the same purpose that Nyakisharara is billed to provide. He said that the argument that western Uganda is centrally-located between Asia and South America was primarily ‘a selling point’. Sources familiar with the aviation industry say regional headwinds marked by inter-state competition await the lift-off of Nyakisharara, if its planned construction develops the wings to fly. For example, Ethiopia, with Africa’s most profitable national carrier, is building a massive airport at Bishoftu to handle 110 million passengers annually.

In neighbouring Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, challenged by overcapacity on the back of its KQ wings, is expanding. Rwanda, Uganda’s southwestern neighbour whose flag RwandAir flies, is constructing the $2 billion (Shs7.2 trillion) Bugesera International Airport in partnership with Qatar Airways as a premier transport and logistical hub. Some of these projects are planned to be completed by 2030, the same deadline as for the proposed international airport in Mbarara. By comparison, Uganda is still growing its aviation profile, with Uganda Airlines, the national carrier, struggling to break through since its revival in 2019.

Despite the differing opinions about business prospects, leaders and residents in Mbarara City, as well as tourism sector players, have welcomed the idea of an international airport at Nyakisharara as futuristic and attractive for trade and foreign direct investments. Mr Wilberforce Kagimba, the chairperson of Renteragara Parish in Nyakisharara, said while they welcome the proposed development, locals must be involved in the discussions right from the onset to prevent ongoing speculative land pricing and buying, as well as potential cheating of landlords through property undervaluation. ‘… those likely to be affected should be officially invited to meetings where government representatives clearly explain the plans,’ said Mr Kagimba. ‘At the moment, we do not know where exactly the airport will be located, how large it will be, or how many people will be affected,’ he said.

According to the blueprint, the airport is to cover 21 square kilometres, but there is no point on the ground where the measurement will start or end, leaving neighbours second-guessing if the project will affect them or not. Mr Daniel Arinda, the chief executive officer of Africa Real Estates, based in Mbarara City, said news of the planned airport has resulted in speculative land pricing and buying, with landlords lining their pockets with heavy proceeds. ‘We were selling plots of 25 decimals at only Shs25 million, but ever since the President announced that there is a big airport coming to western Uganda, specifically in Nyakisharara, now prices have gone up to 45 million per plot of 100-by-100 feet,’ he said. Costs of commercial plots have tripled, taking a form similar to 2020 when news of the planned upgrade of Nyakisharara airfield to an international airport first surfaced.

‘So, we think the coming of the airport is an influence because the change has just happened instantly,’ added Mr Arinda. Other residents told this newspaper that the hitherto unappealing hinterland, notably along Kyamugorani-Bwizibweera-Makoonje-Kaigoshoora stretch where the Ibanda-Mbarara highway is to be relocated, has gained currency. A 50-by-100-foot plot there now costs Shs20m-Shs25m, up from an average Shs14m. ‘It’s exciting, but at the same time it is worrying because after selling every stock that we have, what happens next? What if the airport doesn’t come?’ he noted. However, Mr Apollo Barya, the chairperson of Mbarara City Business Community, dismissed concerns over land grabbers and speculators. ‘You can’t rule out the speculators or people who grab chances.

There are people who [receive information, such as about the airport] and strategise to profit. So, if you are sleeping and you are not informed, you will lose out,’ he said. Mr Barya said speculators got a windfall in compensation during the construction of the Mbarara Bypass, and the airport project should not be an exception. ‘It is just [a matter of] using your brains,’ he added. The promoters argue that Nyakisharara airport will triple Uganda’s economy and locally spur growth of an aerotropolis: real estate, modern auxiliary facilities, capital inflows, employment and an upswing in hospitality and entertainment businesses.

Modelled as Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT), private companies under an envisaged public-private partnership will pool resources and expertise to construct and run the facility for a specified period, recovering their investments from landing, passengers and cargo levies. While this structure is often presented as limiting taxpayer exposure, analysts warn that risks remain, including false business projections and failure of the project to kick off when its proponents fail to muster the requisite millions of dollars to bankroll it. Mr Dick Omondi, a Kenyan aviation analyst, argued that a decision to develop such an infrastructure must be anchored on commercial considerations.

‘[Airport] hubs succeed when there is enough traffic to justify them,’ he noted, adding, ‘Without strong demand, connectivity, and airline capacity, new airports risk becoming underused infrastructure.’ Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) said the airport would attract inflows of ‘high-value tourists going to Bwindi, Mgahinga, Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth [National Parks] and [for] Ankole cultural tourism, and businesses’. ‘The airport could reduce travel time, attract luxury and short-stay tourists, and increase visitor circulation in western Uganda,’ said Mr Denis Rodney Ojok, a senior tourism official. Government records show that 45,562 and 9,091 tourists visited Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, respectively, last year. The government projects a 40 percent to 50 percent growth in these numbers by the end of this year.

Ms Jean Byamugisha, the chief executive officer of Uganda Hotel Owners’ Association, said Nyakisharara International Airport could become a ‘catalyst’ for growth in the hospitality sector. He urged the government to upgrade roads linking to tourism destinations in western Uganda and establish a Hospitality Training Centre in Mbarara City to graduate fit-for-purpose human capital. In the third instalment tomorrow of our series, Chasing Big Dreams in the Air, we examine how the firms bidding to build Nyakisharara International Airport failed to establish an Aviation and Flight Training Academy, five years after signing a deal with the government.

Domestic travel, rising investments, stronger hotel demand and a broader mix of international markets are creating new engines of growth for Uganda’s tourism sector.

For decades, Uganda’s tourism industry has largely measured success through the number of foreign visitors crossing its borders.

International arrivals, foreign exchange earnings, and overseas marketing campaigns have traditionally dominated discussions about the sector’s performance.

However, the Tourism Industry Performance Report 2025 reveals that the foundations of Uganda’s tourism industry are changing.

While international visitors remain critical to the sector, tourism growth is increasingly being supported by Ugandans themselves.

A rapidly expanding domestic tourism market, rising investments, stronger hotel occupancy levels, and growing visitor interest from new international markets are collectively reshaping the industry.

The report paints a picture of a sector that has not only recovered from the devastating effects of Covid-19 but is also becoming more diversified, resilient, and economically significant.

The report suggests that the tourism industry is gradually moving away from dependence on a single source of growth to building multiple pillars capable of sustaining long-term expansion.

Recovery moves beyond Covid

Few sectors suffered more during Covid-19 than tourism. The closure of international borders, suspension of flights, and restrictions on movement brought global tourism to a standstill.

Hotels, tour operators, transport companies and tourism attractions across Uganda experienced unprecedented declines in visitor numbers and revenues.

Five years later, however, the industry has staged a remarkable recovery.

The Tourism Industry Performance Report 2025 shows international tourist arrivals to Uganda increased by 19.7 percent in 2025 to reach 1.64 million visitors, up from 1.37 million in 2024.

More importantly, the tourism sector has now surpassed its pre-pandemic benchmark.

Worldwide, international tourism grew by 4 percent in 2025, reaching a record 1.52 billion international arrivals. Africa outperformed the global average, recording 81 million arrivals, an increase of 8 percent.

Sub-Saharan Africa reached 45.6 million visitors, surpassing the 44 million arrivals recorded before Covid-19 in 2019.

Uganda accounted for 2 percent of Africa’s tourism market and 3.6 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s tourism arrivals, underscoring the country’s growing position within the continent’s tourism landscape.

The recovery is also reflected in earnings. Tourism receipts reached $1.62b (Shs5.83 trillion) in 2025, representing a 21.3 percent increase from the previous year, with the sector accounting for 10 percent of Uganda’s total exports and 57.2 percent of service exports.

Rise of domestic tourism

Perhaps the most significant story emerging from the report is the rise of domestic tourism.

For many years, tourism was often viewed as an industry built primarily around international visitors. National parks, wildlife experiences and tourism attractions were largely marketed abroad, while local participation remained relatively modest.

That picture is changing. The report shows that 3.27 million Ugandans participated in domestic tourism in 2024, representing a 17 percent increase from the previous year.

The growth is part of a broader trend that has been building over several years.

Domestic tourism participation increased from 2.42m visitors in 2019 to 2.66m in 2022, then rose to 2.8m in 2023 and ultimately reached 3.27m in 2024.

This means Uganda has added more than 850,000 domestic tourists in just five years.

The pace of growth has also accelerated, with domestic tourism growing by 9.9 percent in 2022, 5.2 percent in 2023, and then surging by 17 percent in 2024, marking the strongest growth rate recorded in recent years.

The average Ugandan tourist now makes six domestic trips annually, suggesting that local travel is becoming increasingly integrated into everyday lifestyles.

Business travel, family visits, cultural events, religious pilgrimages, conferences, sports tourism and leisure holidays are all contributing to the growth.

Importantly, domestic tourists provide a dependable market that is less vulnerable to global economic downturns, travel restrictions and geopolitical shocks than international visitors.

A major economic force

The growth in domestic tourism is translating into substantial economic activity.

According to the report, domestic tourism expenditure reached Shs5.41 trillion, representing a 6.3 percent increase compared to the previous year.

The spending patterns reveal the growing influence of domestic travellers across the tourism value chain.

Passenger transport accounted for the largest share of expenditure at 56.4 percent, equivalent to approximately Shs3.03 trillion.

Food and beverages accounted for 19.7 percent of spending, while accommodation represented 15.7 percent.

Travel agency services emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments, recording a 29.3 percent increase year-on-year, an indication that more Ugandans are purchasing organised travel experiences and tourism packages.

The figures demonstrate that domestic tourism is now a significant economic driver supporting transport operators, hotels, restaurants, tour companies and small businesses across the country.

Rediscovering national parks

The growth in domestic tourism is increasingly visible at Uganda’s protected areas.

Domestic visits to national parks rose by 6.1 percent in 2025 to reach 259,680 visits, reflecting growing interest among Ugandans in wildlife and nature-based experiences.

Overall visitation to Uganda’s national parks reached a record 467,065 entries in 2025, up from 436,767 entries in 2024, representing a growth of 6.9 percent.

Significantly, domestic tourists accounted for 55.6 percent of all park entries, meaning that Ugandans now make up the majority of visitors to the country’s national parks.

Foreign visitors also increased by 8.1 percent during the year.

Murchison Falls National Park maintained its position as Uganda’s most visited park, accounting for 32.3 percent of total park visits, while Queen Elizabeth National Park remained the second most visited destination with 26.4 percent of total visits.

The growing participation of Ugandans in national park tourism suggests that wildlife experiences are no longer viewed solely as products for foreign tourists.

Kampala is the hospitality capital

The rise in domestic travel is also benefiting Uganda’s accommodation sector.

The report indicates that the national average hotel occupancy rate stood at 52.1 percent in 2025, reflecting stable demand across the country.

Kampala recorded the highest occupancy rate at 67.1 percent, followed by the Eastern region at 56.5 percent.

The increase was largely due to domestic tourism, business travel, and MICE tourism: meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. Kampala continues to dominate Uganda’s hospitality industry, hosting all of the country’s five-star hotels and the largest concentration of accommodation facilities.

The occupancy figures suggest that hotel performance is no longer dependent solely on international leisure travelers. Domestic business activity, conferences and local tourism are increasingly supporting the sector.

Expanding overseas markets

While domestic tourism has become a powerful growth engine, Uganda is simultaneously attracting a more diverse mix of international visitors.

The Tourism Industry Performance Report 2025 highlights a major shift in the structure of international arrivals.

Overseas visitors recorded the fastest growth, increasing by 140.4 percent and doubling their share of total arrivals from 10.1 percent in 2024 to 20.1 percent in 2025.

Africa remains Uganda’s dominant tourism market, contributing 1.3 million visitors and accounting for 79.2 percent of total arrivals.

However, Africa’s share declined from 89.9 percent in 2024 as arrivals from Asia, Europe and the Americas grew significantly.

The report identifies Asia, Europe, and the Americas as the fastest-growing overseas markets.

India and China remained Uganda’s largest Asian source markets, jointly accounting for 71.8 percent of arrivals from Asia.

In Europe, UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and France continued to dominate visitor arrivals, while the US and Canada accounted for more than 90 percent of arrivals from the Americas.

This diversification is particularly important because overseas visitors tend to spend more and stay longer than regional travelers.

Visitors are spending more

The changing composition of Uganda’s visitors is also reflected in spending patterns.

The average tourist expenditure per trip increased from $933 in 2024 to $986 in 2025, representing a 5.7 percent increase.

Average length of stay increased to 8.8 nights, while average daily expenditure reached $119.

Leisure tourists emerged as the most valuable market segment, spending an average of $2,144 per trip.

The report shows that a single leisure tourist injects approximately 2.5 times more money into the economy than a visitor travelling to visit friends and relatives, and nearly twice as much as a business traveler.

This explains why government continues to place increasing emphasis on attracting high-value international visitors while simultaneously growing domestic tourism.

A big economic contributor

The benefits of tourism growth extend well beyond visitor numbers.

The report estimates that tourism contributed 5.9 percent of Uganda’s GDP in 2025.

Direct tourism GDP reached Shs6.99 trillion, equivalent to 3.3 percent of the country’s GDP, while the sector also generated Shs5.77 trillion in physical capital formation, accounting for 12.6 percent of Uganda’s total national investment.

Hotels and accommodation absorbed 41 percent of tourism-related investment, followed by transport services at 24.8 percent, tourism infrastructure at 22.3 percent, and recreation facilities at 11.9 percent.

The figures demonstrate the sector’s growing importance as a driver of investment and economic development.

Supporting the jobs ecosystem

Beyond investment and foreign exchange earnings, tourism remains a major source of employment.

The report estimates that tourism directly supported 876,512 jobs in 2025, equivalent to 7.5 percent of total employment.

In practical terms, approximately one in every 14 jobs in Uganda is directly linked to tourism activities.

This includes employment in hotels, restaurants, transport services, tour operations, conservation, travel agencies, and tourism attractions.

A more resilient future

The Tourism Industry Performance Report 2025 tells a story that extends beyond visitor arrivals and hotel occupancy rates.

It reveals a sector that is becoming more diversified, more resilient, and less dependent on a single source of demand.

International arrivals have surpassed pre-Covid-19 levels, with earnings reaching a record $1.62b. Domestic tourism participation has grown, national park visitation has reached historic highs, while hotel occupancy rates are improving, and tourism-related investment now accounts for more than 12 percent of national investment.

Together, these trends point to a profound shift in the tourism model, whereby the future of tourism is no longer defined solely by the number of foreigners arriving at Entebbe International Airport, but is increasingly shaped by millions of Ugandans travelling within their own country, supporting local businesses and creating a stable foundation for industry growth.

In many respects, Uganda’s tourism success story is entering a new chapter, one in which growth depends not only on bringing the world to Uganda but also on encouraging Ugandans to discover Uganda for themselves.

Akarukei Village in Kobuin Sub-county, Ngora District with approximately 1,000 residents has failed to raise Shs300,000 required to fix a borehole, which broke down two weeks ago.

Ms Margaret Apio, a resident, told this paper on Saturday that their water facility broke down two weeks ago, but the user committee has since failed to collect Shs300,000 from the community. She said for the last 14 days that the committee has been moving around, they have only managed to only collect Shs85,000, leaving a deficit of Shs215,000. Ms Apio added that the community seems to be financially constrained because of the current crop failure.

There are also reports of mismanagement of the borehole funds collected.

‘We have to walk to the neighbouring village of Tiling in Tiling Parish to collect clean water for drinking. We also collect water from the well that we dug at the swamp for domestic use,’ she explained.

Mr Alfred Ekocu Achoka, the Akarukei LC1 chairperson, said there is need to purchase pipes to have the water facility repaired. He said each household is expected to contribute at least Shs2,000 monthly to cater for emergency costs of repairing the water facility. He adds that the borehole user committee must have been failed by water consumers.

‘Originally, the water user committee would confiscate at least one chicken from each household in the event that the residents failed to cooperate. But that was stopped after some village members threatened to sue the borehole user committee in courts of law for trespass,’ Mr Ekocu said. He added that once government constructs a borehole and hands it over to the community, the community benefiting from it, takes over its management and maintenance.

Mr Duncan Musane, the Kobuin LC3 chairperson , said the sub-county does not have a budget that is allocated towards the repair and maintenance of boreholes but insisted that it’s the role of the community. Mr Musane urged the locals to have a sense of ownership of water facilities and other resources or projects that benefit the community.

‘I am going to convene a meeting with that community and discuss with them the modalities of raising the money needed,’ Mr Musane explained.

A prolonged dry spell in the Bukedi sub-region has plunged Bugwere High School into a severe water crisis, straining the administration with extra costs to buy water.

For several weeks, the school has struggled to secure enough water for its growing student population as most available boreholes have dried up, according to headmaster Mr Azizi Walumoli.

The school with an enrollment of 5,558 students has 10 boreholes, but the dry spell compounded with the geographical location has pushed the water table down, leaving them dry.

‘We have a serious challenge with the topographical location because the water table in this area is a bit complex. We need serious intervention to address the issue of water in the school,’ Mr Walumoli explained.

He added: ‘The school only gets relief when it starts to rain, forcing the water table to rise up and also that water which has been harvested in big tanks, but even now they are also dry.’

Mr Walumoli said students pump less than 20 jerry cans at a time, then wait three to four hours for water to re-collect. ‘This takes a lot of time and eventually disorganizes school activities.’

With the prevailing dry spell worsening the situation, the administration now buys water for students and the kitchen.

‘For every single trip the school pays Shs200,000 and yet the school uses six trips, implying that the school coughs Shs1.2million which water takes three days. This has strained the school financially,’ Mr Walumoli explained.

‘Adding that, ‘For six days, the school pays Shs2.4million. This has turned to be expensive and yet the school has a number of challenges that require financing.”

The school has tried installing underground tanks to harvest rainwater, but the persistent dry spell has not solved the problem.

‘Our major source of water is both boreholes and rain harvesting but due to prolonged dry spell, the tanks and boreholes have remained dry,’ Mr Walumoli said.

‘We are calling upon the government through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation to extend piped water to government institutions like Bugwere High School. Instead of wasting Shs2.4million to secure water which could be diverted to paying water bills which could take us a longer time than just within six days. It’s turning to be too expensive on the side of the school. This matter has been brought to the attention of the district,’ he said.

The school, located in Nabweyo, Budaka Town Council, has been fueling water bowsers from Budaka, Kibuku, Butebo and Butaleja districts.

‘We need a permanent solution to cut down these costs. Our hopes now rely heavily on being connected to the national water grid,’ he said.

He explained that the continued shortage has slightly affected essential school activities. Bugwere High School, one of the traditional giant schools in the region, is also facing inadequate teachers, classrooms, and staff accommodation.

Only 30 teachers are on government payroll, while 60 are paid under PTA. The school also faces a deficit of 27 classrooms to cope with the overwhelming number of students.

District NRM chairperson Mr Musa Kyabene acknowledged the crisis and called for urgent intervention. ‘The school is in total water crisis especially during this dry spell. It becomes too expensive to fuel water bowsers almost on daily basis. Something should be done to address this matter,’ Mr Kyabene said.

Health officials warn that inadequate water supplies can cause waterborne illness.

Parents and local leaders are also calling for urgent action. ‘This challenge requires immediate attention. The school with such big population and lacks water is a serious concern,’ Mr Jimmy Mwyai, a community member, said.

Adding that, “School needs reliable water sources to ensure learners remain healthy and focused on their education and also smooth running of the school.’

Education stakeholders are urging government agencies, development partners and well-wishers to invest in sustainable water solutions.

Environmental experts say the crisis highlights the growing impact of climate change on communities across eastern Uganda, where erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells are becoming increasingly common.

Fresh from securing qualification for the 2026 CAVB African Nations Championship, Uganda Lady Volleyball Cranes captain Catherine Ainembabazi has called for early and thorough preparations as the team seeks to make an impact on the continental stage.

Uganda sealed their place at the African Championship after emerging victorious at the CAVB Zone V Nations Championship Qualifiers held in Kampala last week.

The Lady Cranes defeated Burundi and South Sudan to finish top of the standings and earn a ticket to the continental showpiece that will be staged in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 22 to September 5.

The qualification marked an encouraging return to international competition for Uganda, but Ainembabazi believes the real test still lies ahead.

The African Championship will feature some of the continent’s strongest volleyball nations, including traditional rivals Kenya, Egypt and Rwanda, who had already secured qualification and therefore did not participate in the Kampala qualifiers.

For Ainembabazi, Uganda’s performance in Nairobi will largely depend on how quickly the team can regroup and prepare.

‘I really have to thank our coaches for what they did for us. We had enough training time and what we worked for, we were able to present it in the qualifiers,’ Ainembabazi told Daily Monitor.

The experienced outside hitter credited the technical bench for helping the team build cohesion in a relatively short period and believes that the same approach will be crucial ahead of the continental championship.

‘If we come in early for training, with the team we have, we just need enough time to train together. If we have enough time to train, I am sure we shall do well in the African Championship,’ she added.

Tougher challenge awaits

While Uganda comfortably negotiated the qualifiers, Nairobi promises a significantly sterner examination.

The Lady Cranes will come up against some of Africa’s best teams, some of whom have regularly featured at continental championships, World Championships and Olympic qualification tournaments.

The gap between the Zone V qualifiers and the African Championship is considerable, and Uganda will need to improve in several areas to come out on top against much tougher and elite opposition.

However, the signs from Kampala were encouraging. The team showed flashes of quality, discipline and resilience throughout the tournament, qualities that will be vital if Uganda is to challenge more established volleyball nations.

A new generation steps forward

The qualifiers also highlighted a changing of the guard within the national team setup.

Head coach Protus Soita entrusted a youthful squad that blended experience with emerging talent.

Only a handful of players had previously represented the senior national team, with Ainembabazi joined by Joan Tushemereirwe, Scovia Alungat, Hadijah Acelun and Moreen Mwamula among the experienced core.

Around them, a new generation of players seized the opportunity to announce themselves on the international stage.

Claire Najjuko, Ketty Aluka, Katreena Odermatt, Lydia Asimo, Jemmima Lamaro and Nakitto all delivered impressive performances during the qualifiers, underlining the depth of talent available to Uganda volleyball.

Their emergence offers hope for the future and provides the coaching staff with a broader pool of players to select from ahead of the African Championship.

Selection competition

Despite the success in Kampala, the squad that travels to Nairobi may not be identical to the one that won the qualifiers.

Soita has indicated that the technical team is considering strengthening the squad with a number of experienced players who were unavailable for the qualifiers.

Such additions could provide valuable leadership and international experience as Uganda prepares to face stronger opposition.

Eunice Amuron, Sharon Amito, Agnes Akanyo, Summayah Ndagire, Jennifer Alungat and Oliver Achan all missed out on the tournament with various reasons but have a shot at making the team that will go to Nairobi.

Soita, however, maintains that the younger players who impressed in Kampala have earned the right to compete for places in the final squad.

That healthy competition for selection is expected to raise standards within the team as preparations gather momentum.

For now, qualification has provided a welcome boost for Uganda women’s volleyball.

Yet both the players and coaching staff understand that reaching Nairobi is only the first step.

The coming weeks will be crucial as the Lady Cranes seek to transform regional success into a competitive showing on the continental stage.

With a promising blend of youth and experience, and with early preparations now identified as the priority, Uganda will head to Nairobi hopeful of proving they belong among Africa’s volleyball elite.

CAVB Zone V Nations Championship Qualifiers

Uganda Lady Volleyball Cranes

Game played: Two

Record: 2-0

The Electoral Commission said all was set to deliver a free and fair exercise as voters in the island district of Kalangala go to the polls this Wednesday to pick their next Woman Member of Parliament.

According to EC spokesperson Julius Muchunguzi, polling stations will be open by 7am in accordance with the law and close at 4pm.

Although EC expressed readiness, complaints emerged from both agents of the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer and independent candidates about the integrity of electoral materials after some 17 black ballot boxes containing ballot papers and Declaration of Results forms arrived with varying serial numbers.

EC Chairperson Simon Byabakama, who is pitching camp in Kalangala, said the questionable boxes were to be unsealed in the presence of all stakeholders to ascertain what is inside.

‘We all know that the voters have a right to vote their candidate of choice and candidates have voters in these affected polling stations. So, as EC, we are going to open those boxes in the presence of the agents of candidates and security to ascertain what is inside,’ he said

The exercise of unsealing the boxes was about to kick off by press time.

Five candidates are vying for the seat.

These include: opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Irene Nampala, National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer Aidah Nabayiga, and independents Hellen Flavia Nagawa, Babirye Sharifa Kaala and Susan Nasuuna.

The race features complex internal party dynamics.

Ms Kaala is known to be NUP-leaning, but chose to run on an independent ticket after the party card went to Nampala.

Similarly, Ms Nagawa is an NRM -leaning independent who chose to stand after losing to Nabayiga in the party’s primary elections.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Hellen Nakimuli, who had just won a second term on the NUP ticket.

The candidates have drawn distinct battle lines, focusing on health, infrastructure, and the island’s delicate fishing economy.

Stiff competition is between Nampala, who seeks to replace her deceased sister [Nakimuli] and Nabayiga, who lost the seat in 2021.

Throughout the 10-day campaign period, Nampala has promised to carry forward the torch of her late sibling.

She emphasised operationalising new fisheries regulations, ensuring a consistent supply of medicines in health facilities, and empowering women through organised economic groups.

On her part, Nabayiga has pledged to continue development projects initiated during her previous term as area woman MP (2016-2021).

‘During my tenure, I initiated several projects. The late Helen Nakimuli built on that work, and I am committed to continuing from where she stopped.’

She also pledges to lobby the central government to elevate Kalangala Health Centre IV to a fully-fledged general hospital-a promise which has remained unfilled for over a decade.

‘Kalangala needs a district hospital so that our people do not continue spending a lot of money seeking treatment on the mainland,’ she noted.

Nagawa said she will prioritise fighting teenage pregnancies, rampant school dropouts and inadequate public services.

She argued that some time back Kalangala had all leaders subscribing to NRM, but service delivery remained wanting, urging voters to test the leadership of an independent -minded candidate.

‘There was a time when Kalangala had all MPs subscribing to NRM, but little we achieved; party colours help individuals, not ordinary voters,’ she said

Ms Kaala has pledged to focus on revitalising the district’s agriculture, tourism and fishing sectors that form the backbone of Kalangala’s economy.

‘Kalangala people are hardworking, but many have been chased away from landing sites, which has exacerbated poverty in the islands; all those people need assistance to rebuild their lives,’

Nassuna, who used a megaphone as her campaign symbol, said she was inspired by Nakimuli to vie for the seat.

‘She[Nakimuli] was an exceptional leader and a person like me who learnt a lot from her; I am better positioned to replace her,’ she said

On Monday, President Museveni, who also doubles as NRM national chairperson, spent the better part of the day campaigning for Nabayiga, urging islanders to rally behind her.

During a final campaign rally at Kibanga Primary School playgrounds, Museveni said Nabayiga, being NRM, will be close to him and service delivery will improve.

‘Whatever you have said, I have heard, but it seems there is a problem; you voted for the opposition. I have never talked to any opposition leader from here,’ he said.

‘We have been trying to help with the issues but have had no clear leadership here. Now that NRM is here and Jajja is here, let us organise ourselves and send Nabayiga to Parliament,’ President Museveni said.

On the other hand, he unveiled a wide-ranging government plan to improve transport, electricity, education, health and production in the Ssese Islands.

President Museveni also noted that the government had progressively responded to long-standing challenges affecting island communities, especially transport infrastructure.

He said the government had already addressed key transport challenges, particularly the Masaka-Bukakkata road and the ferry system serving the islands.

In a telephone call to islanders transmitted through a public address system, the NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, currently in self-imposed exile in the US, urged voters to stick to the party flagbearer, insisting that the one (Hellen Nakimuli) whose mandate they had extended for another five years died.

‘We console Kalangala people for losing a brave fighter [Nakimuli] even before she took her oath to serve you in the 12th Parliament, so please use this chance to choose Nampala as a replacement to fulfil all that Nakimuli left in the pipeline,’ he said

Over the years, the way fishing regulations are being enforced has increasingly shaped how fishing communities vote. In the previous two General Elections (2016 and 2021), the NRM did not perform well, which observers partly attributed to the highhandedness of soldiers under the Fisheries Protection Unit(FPU) – originally intended to protect the lake -who became synonymous with brutal crackdowns, arrests, torture, and destroyed livelihoods of islanders.

To contain the growing discontent among fishermen, President Museveni last December withdrew FPU commanders, dissolved fishing committees and replaced them with representatives of indigenous fishermen and investors. All these activities are being overseen by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General (DCDF/IG), Lt Gen Sam Okiding, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS), Maj Gen Richard Otto.

FPU has also been renamed 155 Marines Battalion and placed under the command and administration of the UPDF Marines Brigade.

During the recently concluded General Election, NRM managed to win back Bujumba and Kyamuswa County parliamentary seats, recaptured the LC5 chairperson position and increased its representation on the district council from 13 councillors in 2021 to 18 out of 24 seats, strengthening its influence ahead of the forthcoming by-election.

NRM also won four out of the six sub-counties, and NUP took the remaining two. NRM also took Kalangala Town Council.

The district has 42,452 registered voters expected to cast ballots from 155 polling stations spread across 64 habitable islands.

The East African grain trade is expanding in volume, but struggling with a quieter crisis of trust, where a single inconsistency in quality can decide whether consignments move smoothly across borders or lose value before reaching the market.

As Uganda and Kenya deepen trade ties in maize, beans, sorghum, rice and pulses, the real test is no longer production capacity, but whether standards, financing systems and logistics can keep pace with a fast-growing regional market.

During a high-level business engagement between traders, cooperatives, and policymakers, stakeholders described a sector at a turning point, where traditional trading practices are colliding with new regulatory frameworks, digital systems, and cross-border harmonisation efforts aimed at reshaping how grain moves in the region.

From the policy front, Uganda is framing grain not just as a commodity but as a strategic development pillar shaping regional resilience and long-term economic planning.

Mr Cleopas Ndorere, the Commissioner for External Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, anchored the discussion in a historical context and policy direction, stressing that grain remains central to development, storage systems, and regional stability.

He said, ‘Those of you who do not know the importance or the critical importance of grain, I invite you to reflect on its long-standing role in food systems and resilience planning. It is critical in nutrition, storage capacity, longevity, and regional stability.’

Staples in regional trade

Mr Ndorere emphasized that maize, beans, sorghum, rice, soybeans and groundnuts remain the dominant staples in regional trade, but quality gaps continue to undermine competitiveness and trust between markets.

He noted, ‘What is happening in the trade of grain across our countries is that the quality has been lacking. If you are drying on the ground or on the road, that means there is a compromise on standards.’

He explained that governments are responding through stricter quality systems, harmonised standards, and trade facilitation measures aimed at reducing duplication and improving efficiency.

He said, ‘If the grain is certified in Uganda, it need not be certified again in Kenya. That cuts down the cost of doing business and reduces turnaround time for traders.’

Mr Ndorere also pointed to reforms at border points, including simplified trade regimes for small traders and the gradual shift toward digital clearance systems that reduce delays and congestion.

He added, ‘We are introducing smarter border systems where vehicles and goods are pre-cleared… You simply move through after scanning, reducing unnecessary stops.’

He further noted that small cross-border traders are being formally integrated through simplified documentation systems and trade information desks designed to support informal operators transitioning into structured commerce.

From the market facilitation side, regional grain traders say the biggest challenge is not production, but coordination, aggregation, and predictable markets.

Mr Herbert Kyeyamwa, the country director of the East African Grain Council, framed the sector as both economically vital and structurally fragmented, calling for deeper integration between enterprises across borders.

He said, ‘We are here because of a shared vision of a more integrated, competitive and resilient grain sector in East Africa… the grain sector is not just an agricultural sub-sector, it is the lifeblood of our region.’

Mr Kyeyamwa pointed to ongoing collaborations bringing together Ugandan and Kenyan enterprises to build structured trade relationships and improve market access through business-to-business engagements.

He explained, ‘The Business to Business (B2B) sessions are the engine for trade and collaboration designed to start conversations, concrete trade linkages and eventually sign deals.’

He emphasized that success will not be measured by meetings alone, but by sustained partnerships and improved livelihoods for actors across the value chain.

He said, ‘The success of this mission will be measured not just by the number of trade agreements we sign, but by the long-term partnerships we forge.’

Collective marketing

At the cooperative level, Kenyan farmer organisations say aggregation systems are helping farmers survive volatile prices while improving access to inputs and finance, though structural inefficiencies persist.

Mr Nahashon Kagiri, the chairman of Ngarua Cereals and Produce Cooperative Society in Kenya, described a model built around collective marketing and post-harvest discipline to protect farmers from exploitation at peak harvest periods.

He said, ‘We assist small-scale farmers and medium-scale farmers in production and marketing. The purpose of aggregation is to wait a bit for the market to mature so that farmers can benefit.’

Mr Kagiri explained that cooperatives are increasingly acting as financial intermediaries, providing advances to farmers against stored grain, reducing reliance on high-cost credit sources.

He noted, ‘We can advance up to 60 percent of what the farmers have stored at the current market price. During sales, we recover what we advanced at a small interest of 6 percent.’

However, he raised concerns about inconsistent grain quality across borders, particularly aflatoxin contamination in some consignments sourced from Uganda, which affects market confidence despite strong demand.

He said, ‘In some periods, the maize from Uganda has aflatoxins. Not always, but it happens.’

Despite these challenges, he acknowledged Uganda’s central role in regional food supply, especially during shortages in Kenya’s semi-arid producing zones.

He added, ‘Even if we grow maize, it is hardly enough; that is why most of the maize comes from Uganda.’

On the supply chain and export side, Ugandan private sector actors are increasingly positioning themselves as structured exporters leveraging warehousing, logistics, and compliance systems.

Why transition remains uneven

Ms Oliver Akullo, the quality assurance officer at Erymags Enterprises Limited in Lira City, described a growing export-oriented operation dealing in grains and pulses such as soya, sesame, millet, sorghum, pigeon peas and chia.

She said, ‘We have a warehouse capacity of 2,000 metric tons and a twin warehouse of 4,000 metric tonnes… and a fleet of trailers with about 35 metric tonnes capacity each, meaning our logistics are highly efficient.’

Ms Akullo noted that while export potential is strong across multiple markets including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and beyond, operational gaps remain in documentation and trade information flow.

She explained, ‘The limited communication makes it very hard, people do not have enough information on procedures, but if communication improves, we shall be on the same page.’

She also pointed to a shift from manual contracting systems to digital trade platforms that allow buyers and sellers to express interest and formalise agreements more efficiently.

She said, ‘Previously, people used physical paper communication, but now we are going more digital; we can express interest and enter into contracts.’

Across the region, the grain sector is being reshaped by four forces operating simultaneously: policy harmonisation, cooperative aggregation, private sector scaling, and digital trade systems.

‘Yet the transition remains uneven, with quality standards, financing access, and market coordination still defining who benefits most from the growing regional grain economy,’ said Ms Akullo.

As East Africa pushes toward deeper integration, the sector is no longer just about harvest volumes, but about whether systems can reliably move grain from smallholder farms to structured regional and global markets without losing value along the way.

The East African Business Council estimates that trade restrictions cost the region roughly $10 billion every year in lost opportunities. At the continental level, the World Bank’s 2020 report: The African Continental Free Trade Area: Economic and Distributional Effects projects that eliminating non-tariff barriers could increase intra-African exports by more than 80 percent and raise incomes by up to $300 billion by 2035.