Ugandan exporters sound alarm over rising costs, border delays — government promises reform

Kampala, Uganda
Exporters in Uganda are reporting severe bottlenecks: rising compliance costs, excessive documentation and delays at border crossings are eroding competitiveness, increasing lead-times and pushing up prices. During the 2nd Annual Doing Business Forum in Kampala, the Head of Public Service, Ms Lucy Nakyobe, acknowledged the problem and affirmed that government institutions must deliver quickly and transparently. The rallying cry was that business efficiency “is non-negotiable.”
The pressure comes at a time when Uganda’s economy is looking to scale exports, add value and attract foreign direct investment — but structural delays could undermine this push.
Why it matters:

Export success is vital for Uganda’s growth, foreign-exchange earnings and job creation. If exporters are hampered, the broader economy suffers, especially in manufacturing and agro-processing. For your readers, it underscores everyday impacts on business owners, supply chains, jobs.
What to watch:

Government announcements of border-process reforms, digital documentation, or special export-lanes.

Responses from exporters: are they optimistic, or will some scale back production or shift markets?

Trends in export numbers or delays in the next quarter.