Business
Middle East still Uganda’s biggest market for exports
The finance ministry performance of the economy report for July 2026 says 98.9% of these exports were received by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Middle East still Uganda’s biggest market for exports
By: Umar Kashaka, Journalist @New Vision
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The Middle East has again emerged as Uganda’s top destination for exports, accounting for about half (49.8%) of the total market share, a new government report shows.
The finance ministry performance of the economy report for July 2026 says 98.9% of these exports were received by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This shows an increasing dependence on one trading partner exposing the country to risk in the event of a negative shock in UAE, hence the need to intensify efforts in diversifying export markets, the report says.
Other notable destinations for Uganda’s exports were the East African Community (EAC) with a market share of 24.9%, followed by the European Union (11.2%) and Asia (8.5%).
Other notable destinations for Uganda’s exports were the East African Community (EAC) with a market share of 24.9%, followed by the European Union (11.2%) and Asia (8.5%).
Altogether, the four regional blocs accounted for 94.4% of exports in June 2026.
With the exception of the Middle East and the rest of Africa, Uganda registered trade deficits with the rest of the regional blocs. The blocs with the largest trade deficits were Asia ($611.22 million) and EAC ($520.06 million).
The trade surpluses registered for the Middle East and the rest of Africa amounted to $550.04 million and $17.93 million, respectively.
A trade deficit is when a country’s imports exceed its exports, meaning the country is not making money from trade and is inevitably in debt.
With the exception of the Middle East and the rest of Africa, Uganda registered trade deficits with the rest of the regional blocs. The blocs with the largest trade deficits were Asia ($611.22 million) and EAC ($520.06 million).
The trade surpluses registered for the Middle East and the rest of Africa amounted to $550.04 million and $17.93 million, respectively.
A trade deficit is when a country’s imports exceed its exports, meaning the country is not making money from trade and is inevitably in debt.