A delegation of about 100 Ugandans went to Dubai in an initiative organized by the UAE diaspora for the Ugandans to unlock the potential that lay in the Gulf through the hub that is Dubai. As much as it was private sector organized, the government and the Trade Ministry were there to support the initiative. “Uganda’s exports to UAE have drastically increased from 170 million dollars in 2014 to close to 500 million dollars in 2016.” Said, Michael Werikhe – State Minister for Trade. But of the nearly 500million dollar exports to the United Arab Emirates, almost 70% was gold. So clearly, the export potential of Dubai and the Gulf has only benefited a few people so far and for the Ugandan export producers, the sky may be the limit.

“Given that the people here, this is largely a desert place, the people here need a lot of agricultural products especially the fresh agricultural products. And from the tours that we’ve done around here; from the agencies, the importers, the big supermarkets, and stores. There is a very big market for the Ugandans.” Said, Michael Kawooya – MD, CBS PEWOSA SACCO. And that was no exaggeration because Uganda could barely scratch the fresh produce market that the UAE and the Gulf hold which goes into millions of tonnage a year.

Industry-wide, Uganda will soon sign a double taxation agreement to accelerate trade and investment between itself and the UAE. “...is a first growing economy which can absorb most of our local agricultural products. It does not have those kind restrictions and difficulties and red tape that was in Europe.” Said, Henry Oryem – Minister of International Relations. For all these challenges, the model used by the Dubai-Ugandan Convention that takes potential exporters to the markets is one that can change the export game for Uganda at a time when improved export returns are badly needed with the problems in the older markets like Southern Sudan. Tomorrow, come with some of the farmers as they visit the real market and they share their experiences of their first-hand lessons.