Coffee exporters top 2018 awards

A farmer dries coffee in Bushenyi District last year. PHOTO BY RACHEL MABALA  

In Summary

• Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde, said export volumes have seen progressive growth increasing from $460m (Shs1.7 trillion) in 1994 to $3.6b (Shs13.3 trillion) in 2018.
• In a speech read for him, President Museveni, said exporters must see to it that they increase export volumes to mitigate Uganda’s growing import bill.

By Dorothy Nakaweesi

Coffee exporting companies have topped the 2018 Presidents’ Export Award.
Ugacof, a coffee processing and exporting company, was the overall winner followed by Kyagalanyi Coffee. Ugacof, which has been in existence for the last 25 years, earned Uganda export receipts in
the excess of Shs333b in year under review.

It competed with other 40 companies under 12 product lines in an exercise that was vetted by Uganda Export Promotion Board in collaboration with Trade Ministry, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, Private Sector Foundation Uganda, Uganda Investment Authority and Uganda Manufacturers Association.

Other category winners included Olam, Esco, Pearl Dairy Farm, Mukwano Industries, Roofings, Graphics Systems and Lake Bounty, among others.

Uganda has recorded growth in exports, posting exports receipts of $3.6b (Shs13.3trillion) up from $3.4b (Shs12.5 trillion), according to data released by Bank of Uganda last month.

At least $1b was earned from manufactured goods, according to Mr Elly Twineyo, the Uganda Export Promotion Board executive director.
“We have seen exports of our manufactured goods to the region increase,” he said.

Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde, said export volumes have seen progressive growth increasing from $460m (Shs1.7 trillion) in 1994 to $3.6b (Shs13.3 trillion) in 2018.

In a speech read for him, President Museveni, said exporters must see to it that they increase export volumes to mitigate Uganda’s growing import bill.

“World over, no country has developed its economy by just importing goods and services. I am glad some Ugandans are waking up to this reality,” the President said in a speech read by Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi.