Uganda’s exports up by 72.1% year-on-year in April — report

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Uganda’s export earnings rose by 72.1% in April compared to the same period last year, according to the latest official data.

The Ministry of Finance’s Performance of the Economy report for May 2025 indicates that export receipts increased to $1,110.05 million from $644.90 million in April 2024.

“This growth was primarily driven by higher export earnings from coffee, electricity, gold, cocoa beans, sugar and beer, among others,” the report states.

Meanwhile, the value of merchandise imports rose by 30.4%, from $948.81 million to $1,236.90 million.

“This was mainly attributed to higher volumes of formal private sector non-oil imports, particularly mineral products (excluding petroleum products), vegetable products, animal products, beverages, fats and oils, prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco, textiles and textile products, among others,” the report adds.

A sophisticated economy

In his budget speech for the 2025/26 financial year, finance minister Matia Kasaija noted that Uganda’s economy has diversified beyond the traditional “3Cs” coffee, cotton and copper, and “3Ts”, tobacco, tea and tourism, to become more sophisticated.

“For example, Uganda has added 31 new products to its export basket in the last 15 years, including light manufactured products such as steel, processed food, cement, pharmaceuticals, dairy products, ceramics and cloth,” he said.

Kasaija further stated that the number of manufacturing units (factories of various sizes) rose by about 18,000, from 31,757 in 2010/11 to 50,000 in 2023/24.

“As a result, this has increased the share of manufactured exports significantly,” he added.

He also noted that with a solid foundation already laid through strategic investments in infrastructure, the pace of economic transformation is expected to accelerate in the medium term.