Forwarders oppose Tororo port contract
MANUFACTURERS, clearing agents and truck transporters have opposed the award of a contract to run the inland port at Tororo to Great Lakes Ports, a private company.
By Francis Kagolo
MANUFACTURERS, clearing agents and truck transporters have opposed the award of a contract to run the inland port at Tororo to Great Lakes Ports, a private company.
“In the contract, the Government gives Great Lakes a monopoly to handle all imports and exports in the country. This is against free trade,†they said.
Through their umbrella organ, the Uganda Freight Forwarders Association (UFFA), the businesspeople said the deal violates the agenda of the East African Community (EAC).
“The EAC focuses on ensuring that member countries run a free market. The monopoly, which Uganda is about to create, will send a negative image to other EAC members,†Charles Kareeba, the UFFA chairman, told reporters at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala recently.
The 35-year-agreement, signed between the trade ministry and Great Lakes gives the company an exclusive licence to offer the handling, customs clearing, and facilitate the sale by auction of uncollected Ugandan goods during the first 10 years.
According to the agreement, they said, putting up a yard at Tororo was valued at a cost of $230m (sh483b).
Merian Sebunya Kyomugisha, the UFFA general secretary, said about 300 companies would get out of business once the project is passed.
MANUFACTURERS, clearing agents and truck transporters have opposed the award of a contract to run the inland port at Tororo to Great Lakes Ports, a private company.
“In the contract, the Government gives Great Lakes a monopoly to handle all imports and exports in the country. This is against free trade,†they said.
Through their umbrella organ, the Uganda Freight Forwarders Association (UFFA), the businesspeople said the deal violates the agenda of the East African Community (EAC).
“The EAC focuses on ensuring that member countries run a free market. The monopoly, which Uganda is about to create, will send a negative image to other EAC members,†Charles Kareeba, the UFFA chairman, told reporters at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala recently.
The 35-year-agreement, signed between the trade ministry and Great Lakes gives the company an exclusive licence to offer the handling, customs clearing, and facilitate the sale by auction of uncollected Ugandan goods during the first 10 years.
According to the agreement, they said, putting up a yard at Tororo was valued at a cost of $230m (sh483b).
Merian Sebunya Kyomugisha, the UFFA general secretary, said about 300 companies would get out of business once the project is passed.