Business
Uganda’s merchandise import bill hits $1.509b
This increase was mainly driven by a rise in formal private sector imports, which more than offset a decline in government project-related imports.
Ministry of Finance (pictured). The report shows that, compared with the same period last year, merchandise imports grew by 23.1%. (File photo)
By: Umaru Kashaka, Journalist @New Vision
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Uganda’s merchandise import bill has reached $1,509 million (about sh5.487 trillion), according to the May 2026 Performance of the Economy Report by the Ministry of Finance.
The report shows that, compared with the same period last year, merchandise imports grew by 23.1%, rising from $1,226.29 million (about sh4.47 trillion) in April 2025 to $1,509.28 million in April this year.
This increase was mainly driven by a rise in formal private sector imports, which more than offset a decline in government project-related imports.
Key private sector imports included mineral products excluding petroleum products, chemical and related products, base metals and their products, petroleum products, machinery and equipment, as well as vehicles and accessories.
On a month-to-month basis, merchandise imports also recorded a marginal increase from $1,492.39 million (about sh5.47 trillion) in March 2026 to $1,509.28 million (about sh5.51 trillion) in April 2026. This was attributed to higher formal private sector imports, including plastics, rubber and related products, base metals and their products, machinery and equipment, as well as vehicles and accessories.
Origin of imports
In April 2026, the East African Community was the largest source of Uganda’s imports, accounting for 48.4% of the total import bill.
This was followed by Asia at 37.3%, the European Union at 7.1% and the Middle East at 2.7%.
Within Asia, China, India and Japan were the leading sources of imports, accounting for 48.8%, 29.6% and 7.2% respectively of total imports from the trade bloc.
On a month-to-month basis, merchandise imports also recorded a marginal increase from $1,492.39 million (about sh5.47 trillion) in March 2026 to $1,509.28 million (about sh5.51 trillion) in April 2026. This was attributed to higher formal private sector imports, including plastics, rubber and related products, base metals and their products, machinery and equipment, as well as vehicles and accessories.
Origin of imports
In April 2026, the East African Community was the largest source of Uganda’s imports, accounting for 48.4% of the total import bill.
This was followed by Asia at 37.3%, the European Union at 7.1% and the Middle East at 2.7%.
Within Asia, China, India and Japan were the leading sources of imports, accounting for 48.8%, 29.6% and 7.2% respectively of total imports from the trade bloc.