Museveni asks France to reset the trade imbalance with Uganda

Trade | Uganda | France

President Yoweri Museveni has asked the French Government to reset the trade imbalance that exists between the two countries which favor France. 

“We need to increase trade between the two countries. But most importantly we need to address the trade imbalance that exists,” Museveni said. 

The President said this on Thursday during Bastille Day, the National Day of France. The function took place at Nakasero the residence of the French Ambassador to Uganda. 

The day is held to commemorate the 233rd anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress on 14th July 1789. The freeing of political prisoners from the fortress was the turning point for setting up the French Republic. 

Museveni who was represented by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja noted that the volume and value of trade are tilted more in favor of France. 

“We would like to increase the volume and value of our exports into the French and European markets. Our edible oils, vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, coffee, and tea are abundant for the French people to enjoy”. 

“We request you to open your markets, remove any trade barriers, and allow your people to enjoy the best fruits and food from the Peal of Africa. We have launched the Parish Development Model, we want to add value, supply France and widen our markets,” Museveni said. 

Bastille Day 1

The President said that when Uganda got independence in 1962 France was at hand to support the young nation sharing its long history of independence. 

Museveni thanked French companies in Uganda that have invested in key sectors of Uganda’s economy and helped create jobs, pay taxes, and support the socio-economic transformation of our country. 

He invited more French investors to come and establish themselves in the country. He thanked France for investing in Uganda’s oil and gas sector with expectations of getting Uganda’s first oil barrel in 2025. In the education sector, Museveni commended France for offering scholarships and study opportunities for Ugandan students in French universities. 

“Uganda and France enjoy cordial relations, friendship, and mutual relations. We have many things to celebrate in our friendship,” Museveni said. Museveni thanked France for supporting Uganda and is hosting over 1.5m refugees that flee from neighboring countries. 

Everything but Arms (EBA) is an initiative of the European Union under which all imports to the EU from the Least Developed Countries are duty-free and quota-free, except armaments. 

EBA a trade preferential scheme was adopted on 5th March 2001 for the 49 least developed countries including Uganda. However, Caroline Adriaensen head of cooperation at the EU delegation in Uganda said recently that Europe imports vegetables and flowers from Uganda but much of it is destroyed at the Port of Amsterdam due to not meeting quality and phytosanitary standards set. 

This was during the release of the Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) report jointly produced by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank. 

At this report launch, Dr. Fred Muhumuza a development economist and lecturer at Makerere University said Uganda was failing to satisfy the markets available due to problems of low standards and poor quality.  

“The markets are there but we have failed ourselves. We produce and eat mangoes with worms with our eyes closed. The farmers must access clean water to maintain hygiene during production,” Muhumuza said.

The French Ambassador to Uganda Jules-Armand Aniambossou said the last time the day was in Uganda was in 2019 and thereafter COVID-19 hit the world. 

“Despite a courageous policy to fight against this virus, Uganda has not been spared. It is with a certain emotion that I think of all those, French and Ugandan, who have left us and I wish to pay tribute to them.” He noted that the French Presidency of the EU seeks to transform the partnership with Africa into a new Africa-Europe alliance. 

Aniambossou said the new partnership with Uganda is structured around the following areas; economy, development, the promotion of the French language, health, sports, culture, value diplomacy, youth, and security. 

He said that the values of liberty and equality –carried by the French Revolution of 1789 have become universal and the third components motto of the French Republic Fraternity. He added that Bastille Day still represents a call for liberty, equality, and a democratic move to establish a government. 

“Our two countries have this in common; they want to contribute to the stability and growth of Africa, but above all, they trust Africans to carry out this ambition. We have the ambition to found an Africa France entrepreneurs community,” Aniambossou said. 

Aniambossou promised that he would connect Uganda to the France International Chamber of Commerce and Industry to boost bilateral economic relations. 

“France and Uganda have in common a Pan-Africanism of progress that wishes to place Africa in its rightful place in the world, that of a young, dynamic, enterprising, and open continent. And Uganda is a key player in the process of socio-economic transformation of the continent,” Aniambossou said. 

The colorful celebrations were marked with dancing, plenty of food, and drinks. Talent Africa a band that plays Congolese music entertained the guests while DJ Sarah dazzled the audience with her skills in mixing and playing music.