President Museveni Inaugurates Free Zones Export Facility
President Museveni(centre) and Hortifresh E.D, Fred Zake(extreme right) at the official commissioning of the Entebbe free zones facility
On December 16, 2024, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni inaugurated the Free Zones Export Facility at Entebbe International Airport and launched Uganda’s National Implementation Strategy for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Free Zones Export Facility is designed to enhance Uganda’s export capacity, focusing on high-value agricultural products such as coffee, dairy, and fruits. It aims to streamline the aggregation, processing, and export of these goods, thereby boosting the country’s trade performance.
During the event, President Museveni emphasized the importance of regional trade and Pan-Africanism in driving economic development. He highlighted the need for African nations to trade more among themselves to build shared wealth and achieve socio-economic transformation. The President also acknowledged the support of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in facilitating the entry of Ugandan products into the Nigerian market under AfCFTA.
The launch of the AfCFTA Implementation Strategy underscores Uganda’s commitment to expanding its exports beyond the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) regions. The strategy focuses on tapping into the broader African market, which comprises 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP of USD 3.4 trillion. Key areas of focus include trade facilitation, eliminating non-tariff barriers, harmonizing standards, and promoting industrial investments to create jobs and add value to local raw materials.
The Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, highlighted the significance of free zones in transforming Uganda’s economy. He noted that these zones play a crucial role in attracting foreign direct investment, boosting exports, generating employment, and promoting technology transfer. Uganda’s strategic location in the heart of Africa, coupled with frameworks like the EAC, COMESA, and AfCFTA, positions the country as a key player in regional trade.
The commissioning of the Free Zones Export Facility and the launch of the AfCFTA Implementation Strategy mark significant milestones in Uganda’s efforts to transform its economy through trade and regional integration.
Kevin Kusiima
