Gulu Logistics Hub takes off

Plans are in advanced stages to begin construction of a logistics hub in Gulu district which will help transporters and businessmen from South Sudan and DR Congo move goods and services.

Moses Sabiiti, country director Trade Mark East Africa said Uganda has begun to play a wider logistics role in the Great Lakes region despite its landlocked position.

"For instance, importers in South Sudan and DRC keep supplies in bonded facilities in Kampala and bring them into either country when needed, with shorter lead times.  As a result, Uganda has seen transit volumes grow, which in turn has led to the emergence of a distribution industry especially in Gulu, Jinja and Kampala," Sabiiti said.

Sabiiti explained that Trade Mark East Africa has provided support in the building of the logistics hub in Gulu. This was during a discussion on: ‘Doing business in Uganda'. It was organized by the Norwegian Embassy at the Kampala Serena Hotel yesterday.

Benon M. Kajuna, director of transport said Government has provided 24 acres of land at Gulu Railway Station for this development. A Pre-feasibility study was completed in October 2016. Designs to be completed by end December 2017 and construction by end Dec 2018

Richard Kamajugo, senior director Trade Mark East Africa said one of the major tools for measuring logistics efficiency is the World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI) which is a benchmarking tool that measures performance of the logistics supply chain within a country in comparison with 160 countries.

The comparison is based on the parameters such as Customs clearance, Infrastructure, Logistics competence, Tracking and tracing and timeliness. These parameters are important to both Governments and private sector and the two sectors must work together to improve logistics.

In the LPI report 2016, Uganda was ranked 58th out of 160, and was 5th in Africa.