Uganda's export value hits $2.4b
Jan 01, 2009
LAST year, Uganda exported more goods and services than the previous one. The value of exports increased from $2b in 2006/07, to $2.4b in 2007/08.
By Cyprian Musoke
and Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
LAST year, Uganda exported more goods and services than the previous one. The value of exports increased from $2b in 2006/07, to $2.4b in 2007/08.
In the New Year State of the Nation Address delivered on Wednesday, President Yoweri Museveni said coffee exports increased from $229m in 2006/07 to $348m in 2007/08.
“Partly as a result of this good export performance, the level of Uganda’s international reserves increased to $2.7b in June 2008. The regional and adverse global developments in calendar year 2008 have tested the strength of our economy,†Museveni said.
He noted that investments by foreigners had increased to $946m in 2007/08, from $695m in 2006/07.
Remittances, he added, amounted to $476m in 2007/08 compared to $430m in 2006/07.
“The Uganda Exports Promotions board in September said Ugandans working abroad last year brought into the country over $785m (about sh1.3 trillion).â€
Museveni said the Government had allocated sh1.1 trillion to the roads sector. Eight major roads are being constructed, while work on eight others will begin this financial year.
“This is one of the biggest commitments of Government in a single sector, equivalent to about $700m in a single year. Previously such large investment outlays were being provided by donors; but now the Government has demonstrated that it can take full charge of its investment projects/programmes.â€
Among the roads to be built are those linking Uganda to South Sudan and to Tanzania.
The designs for turning the following roads into dual carriages will be completed this year: Kampala-Jinja, Kampala-Entebbe, Kampala-Busega-Mpigi and Kampala Northern Bypass.
Reconstruction of the Kafu-Karuma, Mukono-Kayunga, Mukono-Jinja, Bugiri-Malaba-Busia and Tororo-Mbale-Soroti will be completed this year.
The following roads will be tarmacked: Muyembe-Moroto-Kotido, Kaiso-Tonya-Hoima, Mukono-Katosi, Nyendo-Sembabule, Mpigi-Maddu-Sembabule, Kapchorwa-Bukwo, Mbale-Bumbo-Magale-Lwakhakha, Kyenjojo-Hoima-Masindi and Masaka-Bukakata.
The Kampala-Kafu road, which is nearly complete, will be resealed.
Preparatory work for turning the Busia-Malaba and Kabale-Katuna into a dual-carriage will start in 2009.
On the southern route, he added, ferry services on Lake Victoria would be restored, with the rehabilitation of the MV Pamba.
In addition, construction of the Kabale-Kisoro-Bunagana, Kawempe-Luweero-Kafu, Soroti-Dokolo-Lira, Kampala-Gayaza-Zirobwe, Jinja-Bugiri (near completion), the Kampala Northern Bypass, Matugga-Semuto-Kapeeka and Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara will be done.
Other roads to be worked on are the Fort-Portal-Bundibugyo, Kampala-Mityana, Mbarara-Kikagati, Ntungamo-Mirama Hills, Rukungiri-Kihihi-Ishasha, Mbarara-Ntungamo-Katuna, Nyakahita-Kamwenge-Fort-Portal, Gulu-Atiak-Bibia and Vurra-Arua-Koboko-Oraba.
and Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
LAST year, Uganda exported more goods and services than the previous one. The value of exports increased from $2b in 2006/07, to $2.4b in 2007/08.
In the New Year State of the Nation Address delivered on Wednesday, President Yoweri Museveni said coffee exports increased from $229m in 2006/07 to $348m in 2007/08.
“Partly as a result of this good export performance, the level of Uganda’s international reserves increased to $2.7b in June 2008. The regional and adverse global developments in calendar year 2008 have tested the strength of our economy,†Museveni said.
He noted that investments by foreigners had increased to $946m in 2007/08, from $695m in 2006/07.
Remittances, he added, amounted to $476m in 2007/08 compared to $430m in 2006/07.
“The Uganda Exports Promotions board in September said Ugandans working abroad last year brought into the country over $785m (about sh1.3 trillion).â€
Museveni said the Government had allocated sh1.1 trillion to the roads sector. Eight major roads are being constructed, while work on eight others will begin this financial year.
“This is one of the biggest commitments of Government in a single sector, equivalent to about $700m in a single year. Previously such large investment outlays were being provided by donors; but now the Government has demonstrated that it can take full charge of its investment projects/programmes.â€
Among the roads to be built are those linking Uganda to South Sudan and to Tanzania.
The designs for turning the following roads into dual carriages will be completed this year: Kampala-Jinja, Kampala-Entebbe, Kampala-Busega-Mpigi and Kampala Northern Bypass.
Reconstruction of the Kafu-Karuma, Mukono-Kayunga, Mukono-Jinja, Bugiri-Malaba-Busia and Tororo-Mbale-Soroti will be completed this year.
The following roads will be tarmacked: Muyembe-Moroto-Kotido, Kaiso-Tonya-Hoima, Mukono-Katosi, Nyendo-Sembabule, Mpigi-Maddu-Sembabule, Kapchorwa-Bukwo, Mbale-Bumbo-Magale-Lwakhakha, Kyenjojo-Hoima-Masindi and Masaka-Bukakata.
The Kampala-Kafu road, which is nearly complete, will be resealed.
Preparatory work for turning the Busia-Malaba and Kabale-Katuna into a dual-carriage will start in 2009.
On the southern route, he added, ferry services on Lake Victoria would be restored, with the rehabilitation of the MV Pamba.
In addition, construction of the Kabale-Kisoro-Bunagana, Kawempe-Luweero-Kafu, Soroti-Dokolo-Lira, Kampala-Gayaza-Zirobwe, Jinja-Bugiri (near completion), the Kampala Northern Bypass, Matugga-Semuto-Kapeeka and Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara will be done.
Other roads to be worked on are the Fort-Portal-Bundibugyo, Kampala-Mityana, Mbarara-Kikagati, Ntungamo-Mirama Hills, Rukungiri-Kihihi-Ishasha, Mbarara-Ntungamo-Katuna, Nyakahita-Kamwenge-Fort-Portal, Gulu-Atiak-Bibia and Vurra-Arua-Koboko-Oraba.