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TradeMark EA to announce Safe Cross Border Trade Emergency Facility.

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TradeMark EA to announce Safe Cross Border Trade Emergency Facility.

Our Reporter.

With the ugly head of Corona Virus already causing havoc both globally and locally, a lot of adjustments are being implemented to ensure that as many people as possible can walk through this dilemma safe and healthy.

From a trade perspective, TradeMark East Africa is engaging East African Countries on formulating a safe cross-border trade policy that will ensure that even as countries prioritize the combating of the COVID19 pandemic, trade continues without endangering the citizenry.

This was revealed by Frank Matsaert – the TradeMark CEO who in an interview with SMART 24 TV noted that he has had very positive engagements with partners and a safe cross-border trade stimulus is on the cards.

“We are putting resources together to formulate the safe trade emergency facility. We are working with EAC governments and private sector; particularly agencies at the border points. This will help our economies keep moving,” Frank Matsaert said, adding;

“Probably next week, I will be announcing this facility officially. We are stepping up our efforts. This is a critical challenge of our time. We have to think not just about the short term but medium term.”

HiPipo has since confirmed that the TRADEMARK EA SAFE TRADE budget is USD 20 million to be shared by about 11 countries it currently operates in.

Further, according to Frank Matsaert, the best way to fight the economic impact of the corona virus pandemic is by supporting business continuity and front-line staff for now, facilitating safe cross-border trade and focusing on Trade policy reforms.

Support business continuity and front-line staff now.

Allow essential industries to continue to work to ensure the free flow of trade- particularly of food and medical-related items.

Protection of front-line and essential services workers to mitigate spread.

Facilitate safe cross-border trade.

Increase internal and external border agency collaboration.

Streamline and simplify regulatory and border procedures to facilitate trade.

Extend border agency working hours to accommodate COVID measures and additional Port health checks to allow for increased trade flows of critical commodities and for logistics providers to more adequately manage cargo movement.

Focus on Trade policy reforms, such as:

Tariff reductions that can contribute to reducing the cost of goods and services.

Reducing tax and administrative burdens on importers and exporters.

Reducing the cost of food and other products heavily consumed by the poor (price controls if necessary).

Developing macro-economic measures to limit the negative economic and social impact of the COVID19 crisis as it unfolds.

Craft economic recovery and resilience strategies to avert future crises.

Ends.

Free Online Professional Courses for University Engineering Students.

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Free Online Professional Courses for University Engineering Students.

Monday March 2nd, 2020- Kampala; Silver Bullet, a leading agency that brings together multi sectoral partners who support the expansion of engineering capacity, together with Unicaf, has today announced that it will reward fifteen Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation (STEI) university students with free access to online professional development courses this year, under its Student Development Programme (SDP).

The fifteen students will be selected from three different universities: Makerere University, Kyambogo University, and Ndejje University, using specific criteria scrutinized by a panel of five judges.

According to Ms. Maryanne Karamagi, Silver Bullet’s Executive Officer, the purpose of this initiative is to inspire, up-scale and up-skill students in Science, Innovation, Engineering and Technology across the country, with the aim of bringing their ideas to life, and thus contributing to the country’s sustainable development goals. Speaking at the launch ceremony of the 2020 Student Development Programme (SDP) in Kampala, Karamagi stated:

“This year the SDP aims at balancing the solution scale by offering non-technical, value-added skills to STEI students. Many of the skills required in the 21st century workplaces are associated with deeper learning and with the mastering of soft skills. It is hard for STEI personnel to integrate into the workplace, when only a handful of them are equipped to ease into non-STEI teams, and this is an impediment. If we want our technologists to innovate for development, we need to equip them with the right skills to become t-thinkers (people who are able to think in and from various professional dimension). This is why we have chosen competence-based courses for professional development for the SDP 2020.”

In 2018, Silver Bullet together with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), as the main sponsor, and Fundi Bots conducted a six-week long Student Development Programme, which attracted 40 students from various universities. This year, the programme will be supported by Unicaf and Silver Bullet. Unicaf is a global educational organisation that delivers affordable, flexible, accessible and credible online Bachelor, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees, as well as Professional Development Courses, offered from partner universities in the UK, the USA and Africa.

Ms. Dorothy Mukimba, Unicaf’s Senior Marketing Manager in Uganda poses for a photo with Ms. Maryanne Karamagi, Silver Bullet’s Executive Officer at the launch of the 2020 Student Development Program in Kampala.

Speaking on behalf of Unicaf, Ms. Dorothy Mukimba, Senior Marketing Manager in Uganda, said:

“Science and technology play a vital role in the growth of any economy in the world and we, as a country, cannot afford to ignore it any longer. It’s a key factor of growth in all aspects of the economy, be it agriculture, real estate, tourism and so on, so we need to ensure that we have a reliable pool of talent available, who can provide solutions to the challenges arising in all of these sectors, in the most affordable way. This can only be achieved by equipping interested youths with the right knowledge and skills. As Unicaf, we are therefore pleased to offer fifteen Professional Development Courses to fifteen outstanding Engineering students, through the Unicaf Scholarship Programme. We believe that these courses provide lifelong essential skills, which are not only beneficial in the short term, to ease graduates’ adjustment from university to the workplace, but also to ensure long term business growth. We are excited to be part of the Silver Bullet SDP initiative and can’t wait to see how this impacts the country and the region over the next couple of years.”

The 2020 Student Development Programme will run from the 9th of March 2020 to the 10th of April 2020. The three courses offered, Leadership Skills, Professional Communication and Psychology of the Workplace, will be delivered fully online by Unicaf and participants will study at no cost.

Silver Bullet is a Ugandan not-for-profit organisation that educates and inspires youth to follow careers in Science and Engineering; empowers early career graduates and budding innovators to capably join the work force; and works with professionals to nurture the next generation of engineering and computing professionals.

Silver Bullet employs interactive and engaging educational activities to introduce and demonstrate the principles and applications of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) to young learners, provides unique training opportunities for career professionals and budding innovators, and enables practicing professionals to maintain proficiency in relevant fields

Construction of UGX 32 Billion Gulu Logistics Hub underway.

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Construction of UGX 32 Billion Gulu Logistics Hub underway.

Our Reporter.

Ambitious Construction Company, the successful contractor for the UGX 32 Billion (USD 8.8 million) Gulu Logistics Hub was last week officially handed the 12.24 site on which this multi-modal logistics and freights hub will sit.

The handover of the construction site, availed by Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) effectively kicked-off the actual construction phase of the Gulu Logistics Hub, with completion expected within the next 18 months.

“Gulu Logistics Hub will help unlock the production potential of northern Uganda. There is a lot of untapped potential that will be unlocked by this multi modal hub & other Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU) projects, Eng Charles Kateeba , the managing director of URC said.

On completion, this freight and logistics facility will have a spacious container yard, container freight station (CFS), container cleaning and repair station, a vehicle holding section, an administration complex and an access road connecting the hub to the main roads to South Sudan and Kampala.

” Gulu Logistics Hub forms a bigger part of the development projects for northern Uganda. European Union and United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) have through TradeMark East Africa funded the Hub. Government of Uganda is funding the access roads, “Nelson Rwenaga, Assistant Commissioner Road and Air Transport at Ministry of Works and Transport noted.

The Gulu Logistics hub will also have a railway sub-station; directly connected to the Tororo-Gulu metre gauge line, which will receive and dispatch in and outbound trains in addition to having sufficient space for loading and unloading wagons.

Following the successful handover of the construction site to the contractors, Moses Sabiiti, the country director for TradeMark East Africa, Uganda and South Sudan programs noted that the biggest beneficiaries of this project will be the millions of Ugandans staying in northern Uganda, South Sudan and parts of Congo.

“Gulu Logistics Hub will reduce the cost of transportation of cargo for traders in northern Uganda and neighbouring countries. At the end, the final consumers will enjoy reduced prices and variety of goods,” Moses Sabiiti said, adding;

“Currently, many trucks that transport goods to northern Uganda, South Sudan and parts of DR Congo return to their ports of origin empty. With the Gulu Logistics Hub in place, these trucks will be able to pick goods here and transport them to the port.”

Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, the Gulu LC5 chairperson welcomed the development noting that such projects are much welcome in Gulu and the entire northern region.

” On behalf of the people of Gulu, I assure you our friends and partners that we will do everything possible to support the implementation of all development projects. Gulu is trying to be very strategic. We want more projects and more production.” Ojara said.

He nonetheless, urged the contractor to ensure local content and health safety issues are prioritized.

” I challenge the contractors for the Gulu Logistics Hub and other projects underway to seriously consider giving opportunities to the locals. Our people are very WELCOMING, HARD WORKING & READY TO SERVE. Health and Environment standards should be respected too” Ojara concluded.

Better Trade days for the region.

Since the end of the war in northern Uganda and the return of relative stability in South Sudan and eastern DR Congo, Uganda has been playing a vital role as a distribution hub for the two areas.

According to a World Bank study – Uganda Diagnostic Trade Integration Study – importers in South Sudan and DRC keep supplies in bonded facilities in Kampala before bringing them into either country as and when needed.

However, with the assurances of shorter lead times, Uganda has seen transit volumes grow, which has led to the emergence of a distribution industry especially in Jinja and Kampala.

Nonetheless, the over dependence on Kampala and Jinja distribution hubs which sit some 334kms and 388kms away from Gulu respectively and sometimes opting for goods moving from as far as Mombasa Port directly to northern Uganda, South Sudan or eastern DR Congo, continues to have its own shortfalls.

In essence, the operationalisation of the Gulu Logistics Hub will be a great relief to both Traders and Goods Final Consumers as they will enjoy reduced costs of transportation and lower prices respectively. The Gulu Logistics Hub is also expected to address these issues that continue to hamper the seamless distribution of cargo in northern Uganda, South Sudan, and parts of DR Congo.

Nimule Customs Officials to receive One Stop Border Post Training.

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Nimule Customs Officials to receive One Stop Border Post Training.

HiPipo Reporter.

TradeMark East Africa will partner with the East African Community secretariat to train Nimule customs’ officials on One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) implementation and management, Damali Ssali, the acting Country Director for TradeMark East Africa, Uganda revealed.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Nimule OSBP, Damali Ssali noted that following the completion of the infrastructure construction, focus will now shift to training trade facilitation officers so as to ensure that the OSBP is optimally utilized.

“The biggest challenge to cross border trade is redtape and bureaucracy. I am glad that the Nimule OSBP will help tackle that issue. We hope that very soon, we shall have customs officials from both countries in this facility clearing goods and facilitating trade,” Damali Ssali said, adding;

“TradeMark EA in partnership with the EAC secretariat is committed and will train officials at the Nimule border in the one stop border post act and controls so that we cut down at the very least 50 per cent of the time take to cross this border, among other benefits.” 

H.E. Dr. James Igga, the Vice President of South Sudan noted that the modern border crossing catalyzed by the new infrastructure and the planned training of customs officials will greatly speed up cargo clearance and improve service delivery to citizens of South Sudan and traders doing business in the country.

The US$ 5 million Nimule One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Project, was funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) through TMEA and undertaken in partnership with the South Sudan Ministry of Transport.

TradeMark EA through its donors and in partnership with the East Africa Community has since 2010 to date invested over US$117 million in the upgrading of 15 OSBPs and access roads in East Africa. These include: Busia/Busia(Kenya/Uganda), Malaba/Malaba (Kenya/Uganda), Kagitumba/Mirama Hills (Rwanda/Uganda), Mutukula/Mutukula (Uganda/Tanzania), Holili/Taveta (Kenya/Uganda), Elegu/Nimule (Uganda/South Sudan), Kobero/Kabanga (Burundi/Tanzania) and Tunduma (Zambia).

Nimule OSBP to boost trade between Uganda and South Sudan.

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Nimule OSBP to boost trade between Uganda and South Sudan.

HiPipo Reporter.

“It is only those that have never experienced war that overlook the importance of peace,” Beca Cunnyua, an informal cross border trader at Nimule told our reporter when asked about the impact of the recent developments at the Uganda-South Sudan border.

The trader was indeed spot on. Following the recent peace pact between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his former Vice President, now main rival Riek Machar, a lot of progress has been registered in South Sudan.

Among the positive things that have come with the current peace enjoyed in South Sudan is the construction of the Nimule One Stop Border Post, access roads and a cargo verification centre at a cost of USD 5 million.

This morning, TradeMark East Africa handed over the recently completed Nimule One Stop Border Post (OSBP) to the Government of South Sudan in an event officiated by H.E. Dr. James Wani Igga, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan and Hon Amelia Kyambadde, Minister for Trade, Industry and Co-operatives, Republic of Uganda.

Nimule is the most important border crossing for South Sudan, controlling over 90% of all trade cargo destined for the country. Inadequate border infrastructure, insufficient technical equipment, poor border design, duplicated border procedures and non-coordination of the border agencies has resulted in congestion, slow down movement of people and goods, thus raising the cost of business. It would take an average 4 days to process imports through the border prior to the construction of the Nimule OSBP.

Further, in a nation heavily dependent of humanitarian assistance for food and basic commodities, significant delays in clearance of goods often occasioned irregular supply of basic goods to the local population. With instability in the region, movement of humanitarian aid was also greatly hampered.

The US$ 5 million Nimule One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Project, was funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) through TMEA and undertaken in partnership with the South Sudan Ministry of Transport.

The project scope included a modern office block to house various government agencies involved in cross border trade among them Customs, Immigration, Bureau of Standards, Security Agents, Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Health. Other agencies active at the border include the World Food programme and Clearing Agents.
The Nimule OSBP project also features access roads to the facility, a parking yard that can accommodate 150 cargo truck s as well as an examination yard for cargo processed through the border.

Speaking during the project hand over, H.E. Dr. James Igga, noted that the modern border crossing would greatly speed up cargo clearance and improve service delivery to citizens of South Sudan and traders doing business in the country.
“I am happy to note that with this new one stop border post, goods and travellers to our nation will be processed faster and in a more efficient manner, hence greatly facilitating trade. Modern border management is a critical factor in oiling the wheels of trade in our country. As a government we are committed to continuous reforms that improve services to our people and business competitiveness”.


On her part, Uganda’s Trade, Industry and Co-operatives Minister, Hon. Amelia Kyambadde, explained that the improved border post would greatly enhance trade between the two countries.

South Sudan is among our most important trading partners. With these modern facilities, citizens from both countries and indeed the wider East African region will be able to move their goods and services more efficiently, spurring our economies for the benefit of our people.”


TMEA South Sudan Country Representative, John Bosco Kalisa observed that the improved Nimule OSBP is not only contributing to enhanced trade but is also becoming a great stabiliser in a sensitive region.

“Already citizens of both countries are trading more with each other. This allows little room for conflict as each player sees the other first and foremost as a business partner. Further enhanced trade is improving the economic welfare of trading communities in the region.”


Kalisa also observed that the project is already registering early wins for women traders who constitute a significant portion of cross boarder traders at Nimule, “It is heartening to see more women engage in cross-border trade and expand their businesses, given years of instability that had exposed many to harsh economic realities. At TMEA, women are especially important in our programs and its rewarding to see they are among the groups to benefit from this project”.

Meanwhile, Damali Ssali, the acting Country Director for TradeMark East Africa, Uganda noted that in addition to the Nimule and Elegu one stop border posts, TradeMark EA through the Uganda Ministry of Trade has constructed an Aggregation Centre – a facilitate that will enable informal cross border traders from both countries to store and sell their products.

“The one stop border post is not just for big formal traders but is also designed to facilitate small scale informal traders from both Uganda and South Sudan.” Damali Ssali noted.

TMEA through its donors and in partnership with the East Africa Community has since 2010 to date invested over US$117 million in the upgrading of 15 OSBPs and access roads in East Africa. These include: Busia/Busia(Kenya/Uganda), Malaba/Malaba (Kenya/Uganda), Kagitumba/Mirama Hills (Rwanda/Uganda), Mutukula/Mutukula (Uganda/Tanzania), Holili/Taveta (Kenya/Uganda), Elegu/Nimule (Uganda/South Sudan), Kobero/Kabanga (Burundi/Tanzania) and Tunduma (Zambia).

The concept of one stop border post (OSBP) is that traffic crossing the border need only stop at one border post staffed with officials from both countries. This reduces time to cross borders and transport costs to businesses. Ultimately this increases wealth and reduces poverty.

TMEA interventions in East Africa has resulted in an average 70% reduction in time it takes to cross select borders and a 26% cost reduction the cost of transporting a 40-foot container along key corridors in the region. A recent Independent evaluation report by UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) found its model has proven to be both solid and effective in trade facilitation.

TradeMark (Trade and Markets) East Africa is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established in 2010, with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TMEA operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, European Union, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Gates Foundation, HiPipo discuss Interoperability at 2019 FinTech Connect Conference.

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Gates Foundation, HiPipo discuss Interoperability at 2019 FinTech Connect Conference.

London, UK – December 2019.

Innocent Kawooya, a Ugandan financial inclusion expert , also CEO of HiPipo (U) LTD was among the key speakers at the 2019 FinTech Connect Conference held at ExCeL London on 2nd and 3rd December.

FinTech Connect Conference is UK’s largest FinTech symposium and expo. The 2019 edition brought together more than 6,000 financial and tech leaders from across the full FinTech ecosystem, its largest audience to date.

It allowed FinTech communities to share best practice, showcase new products and solutions and shape financial services of the future. It was sub-divided into 5 conference streams over the two days so as to give critical insight into the future of financial services: DX Connect, RegTech & Security Connect, PayTech Connect, Blockchain Connect and the FinTech Founders Forum.

Innocent Kawooya spoke during a panel discussion themed “Welcome to the age of interoperability: collaboration as the key to inclusive growth.” This panel was moderated by Kosta Peric, Deputy Director, Financial Services for the Poor at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Other speakers were Dan Kleinbaum of DFS Lab and Chijioke Dozie from Carbon in Nigeria.

Mr Kawooya gave strong cases for Financial Inclusion for the Poor with practical examples from Uganda & Africa.

“Technology matters because it helps in accelerating the availability of financial services to the world’s poorest people. Furthermore, it helps meet the needs of the nearly 2 billion people around the world who lack access to basic financial services, such as bank accounts and tools to make transfers, send and receive payments digitally” Kawooya noted.

He added: “The future of payments is already underway in Africa. Explore how Mojaloop and other inclusive open source innovations are making interoperability a reality.”

Reacting to his presentation, Prof Maggie Kigozi, a renowned Ugandan business leader tweeted; “Keep walking Kawooya Innocent – CEO of HiPipo. We are proud of the fight for financial inclusion you are undertaking.”

The panelists take a group photo after their presentations.

Meanwhile, Gates Foundation’s Kosta Peric advised FinTech stakeholders to explore how open source solutions such as Mojaloop are expanding economic opportunity across the African continent.

“In countries and regions throughout Africa, interoperability between digital financial services has surged from a worthy goal to an active reality, leapfrogging traditional banking infrastructures in the process. These digital financial services have brought financial inclusion to a tipping point. To connect services for low-cost, seamless, real-time payments mean deliberate and collaborative action across sectors. Interoperability also makes it easier for new providers to enter the market.” Kosta noted.

Mojaloop is open-source software for financial services companies, government regulators, and others taking on the challenges of interoperability and financial inclusion.

In West Africa; MTN and Orange Group are using it for a joint mobile money wallet product code-named MOWALI while Tanzania at the start of this year rolled out the Tanzania Instant Payments System (TIPS) fully supported by the same software. HiPipo is leading its entry in to Uganda.

Include EveryOne Program.

Innocent Kawooya’s invitation to present at the 2019 FinTech Connect Conference came at the back of the successful Include EveryOne Program summit hosted by HiPipo on 20th September in Kampala to discuss digital and financial inclusion. The event held at Mestil Hotel Kampala was attended by over 300 digital and financial executives from across Africa.

Include Everyone program is a collection of related financial inclusion outreach projects including hackathon, expo, summit, awards and research. The projects are managed in a synchronized way to obtain maximum benefits of ensuring impactful engagement of financial inclusion stakeholders to effectively promote approaches that will enable financial inclusion for everyone.

“We believe that an economy that includes everyone benefits everyone. As such, the program sensitizes operators and service providers to bring financial services to the poor through the use of innovative business models, and mobile technology. We also believe that successful and impactful financial inclusion efforts must be well researched, modeled, positioned, promoted, marketed, distributed, and critiqued as well as celebrated and awarded where possible,” Kawooya explained.

Changing Face of Malaba Border Post: New Access Roads, New Bridge and Scanners.

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Changing Face of Malaba Border Post: New Access Roads, New Bridge and Scanners.

Our Reporter.

Operations at Uganda’s main cargo entry point – Malaba One Stop Border Post (OSBP) have in the past been frustrated by absence of proper infrastructure. This is however now more!

The government has since funded and installed non-intrusive cargo and hand luggage scanners at the border, a development that not only enhances security but also ensures faster clearance of cargo.

Further, Department for International Development (DFID) through TradeMark East Africa has funded the construction of new and wider access (inbound and outbound) roads, and modern parking to a tune of USD 2 million. This specific investment has reduced cargo clearance time, costs and congestion at the border.

Trucks enter Uganda via the new Malaba access roads funded by DFID through TradeMark East Africa.

Lastly, European Union constructed a new bridge linking Kenya to Uganda via the newly constructed access roads. The new bridge has in turn boosted safety for stakeholders as the old one was a disaster in waiting after it developed holes and cracks.

A URA staff stands on the new bridge. Far right is the old Malaba bridge.

Malaba OSBP is the busiest and biggest inland port on the northern corridor handling thousands of cargo trucks whose final destinations include Uganda, South Sudan, DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi among others.

Specifically, Malaba OSBP handles 80 per cent of Uganda International Trade volumes on the northern corridor, compared to about 15 per cent handled by Busia OSBP. In a day, the Malaba OSBP clears between 1000 and 1200 incoming cargo consignments and between 800 and 100 outgoing cargo consignments.

In an interview recently, Mr James Malinzi, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) manager for Eastern region noted that the joint developments are timely as they directly address the ever growing in and outgoing trade volumes.

“After addressing soft infrastructure, we have been focused on hard infrastructure. This includes improving roads, and expanding parking to manage the growing number of imports and exports that pass through Malaba. I can say that the infrastructure works are 90 per cent done. We thank the government and its partners particularly DFID, TradeMark EA, World Bank and EU for making this happen.”

According to Damali Ssali, the acting Country Director at TradeMark East Africa, Uganda office; development partners are happy with Malaba OSBP’s success story thus far but expect more accomplishments.

“Since 2010 when TradeMark East Africa was founded, we have invested a lot in both hard and soft infrastructure. This includes construction of over 13 OSBPs across East Africa including Elegu, Busia, Mirama Hills and Mutukula in Uganda. In Malaba, we have worked on the access roads and parking. Because Malaba is Uganda’s Mombasa, it is important that both the soft and hard infrastructure is functioning well.”

EU Ambassadors visit Malaba.

On 10th December, European Union (EU) Heads of Mission toured Malaba to have a first-hand experience of how this OSBP model operates in this area.

The visiting Ambassadors were Attilio PACIFICI (EU in Uganda), Dr Roswitha KREMSER (Austria), Rudi VEESTRAETEN (Belgium), Nicolaj HEJBERG PETERSEN (Denmark), Jules-Armand ANIAMBOSSOU (France), William CARLOS (Ireland), Massimiliano MAZZANTI (Italy), Henk Jan BAKKER (Dutch) and Per LINDGÄRDE (Sweden).

On behalf of the EU delegation, Henk Jan BAKKER – the Netherland Ambassador to Uganda noted that the Malaba experience is a testament that well implemented deliberate interventions spur trade and improve livelihood.

“I was around in 2010 when TradeMark East Africa was starting off. At that time it was an idea. I am happy to note that 9 years later, what was on paper has been implemented. I thank all partners involved for the work well done,” Amb Henk Jan BAKKER.

The EU delegation nonetheless challenged Malaba team to address pending issues affecting informal cross border traders, women traders and truckers. It further challenged the joint border teams from Uganda and Kenya to address the issue of human trafficking at the borders.

Group photo of the EU in Uganda Heads of Mission , TradeMark EA, Uganda Revenue Authority and Media Team after touring the Malaba OSBP.

Multi-modal Transport System is way to go – Study.

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Multi-modal Transport System is way to go – Study.

Our reporter.

Faced with growing transport challenges including over usage of trade routes by heavy trucks, limited transport alternatives and impassable roads occasioned by heavy rains and floods; Uganda’s economy is ‘at a crossroads.’

Uganda’s only option is to adopt a multi-modal transport system that allows all the four transport modes to operate, supplementing each other.

This recommendation is contained in a recent Cost Effective Rail Freight Logistics report released at the end of last week at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.

Funded by TradeMark East Africa and Ministry of Works and Transport, this Rail and Logistics report was developed by CRISIL Risk and Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, India, together with Africa Economic and Social Development Consultants, Kenya.

Being a land-linked country in east Africa, Uganda is significantly dependent on regional transportation systems for international trade. The transportation system in the region comprises two major transport corridors: Northern corridor – connecting Uganda to the port of Mombasa in Kenya and Central corridor – connecting Uganda to the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania

Currently, international trade in Uganda is served primarily by the Northern Economic Corridor. Although it is also connected to the international markets through the Central Corridor, linking it to the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, majority of its exports and imports (~96%) takes place through the Northern Corridor.

Speaking at the release of this report, Diana Karimba, the National Logistics Platform Coordinator noted that while Uganda is a land locked country, it is also blessed to be at the heart of the great lakes region, putting it at the center of trade within the East African region.

Diana Karimba, the National Logistics Platform Coordinator

“Uganda offers the cheapest labour and power in the region. However, our cost of transport and logistics is still very high compared to our coastal partner states. This is partly because of the poor infrastructure, connectivity and policy environment,” Diana Karimba noted, adding;

“The vision of transforming Uganda into the regional Distribution Hub is achievable and the Ministry of works commissioning a team to undertake a Cost effective rail freight logistics study is a step towards the right direction. We would like Uganda to be the home of the biggest freight logistics companies in the world. With the signing of the AfCFTA, the time is now to position ourselves.”

Even so, Sandra Kirenga, the Programs Manager at TradeMark East Africa, Uganda noted that the report comes at a time when Uganda is dealing with a situation of moving cargo from rail to road and to rail again which will increase time and costs involved.

Sandra Kirenga, the Programs Manager at TradeMark East Africa, Uganda.

“The B3 road is not a major transit route and there will be congestion. The key message here is for Uganda to push for expansion of the B3 road and seek exemption that transit cargo does not have to use the SGR.” Sandra Kirenga said.

She added: “We at TradeMark EA are willing to support both the Government and Private Sector to undertake more efforts aimed at improving the sector.  I thank Ministry of Works and Transport for leading this exercise and establishing a steering committee to guide the process.”

Over the past few years, there have been multiple developments on both the Northern and Central Corridors to strengthen infrastructure and connectivity. Various projects are being planned and implemented on both corridors, with the development of standard gauge railways (SGR) being one of the major advances. Notably, the SGR section between Mombasa and Nairobi is currently operational and is being further planned to be extended to Uganda via Naivasha and Kisumu.

On Uganda’s side, there are plans to rehabilitate Meter Gauge Railways (MGR) sections and upgrade to SGR, aiming to provide the region a homogenous, high capacity, and efficient railway infrastructure.

On the Central Corridor, too, multiple projects are under implementation to remove the infrastructure bottlenecks and enhance its competitiveness for trade. Among the major projects, the development of SGR between Dar es Salaam and Mwanza Port on Lake Victoria is considered to be an inflexion point, which, along with the development of the state-of-the-art intermodal port Bukasa port in Uganda, is expected to enhance competitiveness of this corridor for trade.

On behalf of government, RoseMary Tibiwa – Commissioner Transport Services and Infrastructure at the Ministry of Works and Transport noted that it is government’s policy to develop and provide efficient and effective transport services and infrastructure to spur the economy.

Rose Mary Tibiwa – the Ministry of Works Commissioner Transport Services and Infrastructure.

“In the past, water transport was very effective. How do we revive it to move back to the levels it was at in the past? We can’t have any economic development without a sustainable and effective transport system. The Ministry of Works plans to develop modern and cost effective / efficient rail freight corridors in Uganda.” Commissioner Tibiwa explained.

With the report containing strong and clear recommendations, it remains to be seen how soon Uganda will adopt and implement it.

Uganda Electronic Single Window targeting 30 Agencies by 2021.

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Uganda Electronic Single Window targeting 30 Agencies by 2021.

Our Reporter.

Implementers of the Uganda Electronic Single Window have an ambitious plan of connecting 30 government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) by 2021.

The Uganda Electronic Single Window is a trade platform that lets Traders, Clearing and Forwarding firms submit and process trade documents electronically.

So far, 16 MDAs are actively using the Uganda Electronic Single Window to facilitate trade, with the latest entrants being Cotton Development Organisation, Uganda Communications Commission and Atomic Energy Council.

Speaking at the Single Window Phase 2 Progress Stakeholders Engagement held at Sheraton Hotel on Thursday 12th December, Ms Damali Ssali – senior manager programs also acting country director for TradeMark East Africa noted that that since its launch in 2015, the Single Window system has greatly improved clearing processes and trade in general.

“I feel that we used the best case to develop the Single Window. Since 2015 to date, we already have 16 agencies while more are being added. The impact of the Single Window is great. I was happy to hear from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) that they are overloaded with work because everyone now wants the Single Window. The journey has been long but the results are good. Several countries have come to Uganda to benchmark on how best they can implement the Single Window. Special thanks to the team that is implementing the Electronic Single Window.” Damali Ssali said, adding;

Damali Ssali – Senior Manager Programs at TradeMark East Africa, Uganda Office.

“Allow me thank DANIDA – the funder of the electronic Single Window. DANIDA gave USD 9 million for the implementation of the Electronic Single Window over the 5 years. Thanks to the success of the Single Window project, DANIDA has now given use another USD 10 million which we are going to spend over the next 4 years targeting NTBs, Standards, and Informal Trade among others.”

Nonetheless, Margaret Magera, the Senior Programme Advisor at DANIDA noted that while a lot has been accomplished with the Single Window system so far, there must be a sustainability plan to protect the gains of this project

“I acknowledge TradeMarkEastA for the commendable achievements, not least in terms of improving Uganda’s ability to trade across borders. An improved business environment is central to the operation of markets and fosters innovation, productivity and growth,” Margaret Magera – Senior Programme Advisor DANIDA said.

Margaret Magera – Senior Programme Advisor DANIDA.

She added; “We commend the Ministry of Trade for steering the Single Window project and URA for being the implementing partner of the project. We also thank the other MDAs that are using Single Window and also encourage more others to join.”

Funded to a tune of USD 9 million by DANIDA through TradeMark East Africa, the Uganda Electronic Single Window roll-out is led by Ministry of Trade while URA is the lead implementing agency for the project.

“I am certain that we are now convinced that the Single Window system is critical in facilitating trade, investment, mobilization of government revenue and even a plaform or strategic marketing of our economy among others. Our focus in phase 2 should also be on rolling out the system to more agencies including private sector institutions. I am informed that the implementing team has now engaged with most of the institutions and today we have had more modules launched.” Grace Adong Choda – acting PS Ministry of Trade said.

Grace Adong Choda – acting PS Ministry of Trade

“I am therefore confident that more benefits will even accrue when we co-opt more institutions on the e-SW platform. I congratulate the project implementation team and my ministry for their tireless effort in making this a success.  I sincerely thank DANIDA and TMEA for supporting the entire process. I also applaud UNCTAD for providing the critical technical support that has enabled the smooth implementation of the system.” Grace Adong Choda – acting PS Ministry of Trade concluded.

AU, TradeMark EA sign partnership to boost intra-African trade and Continental Free Trade Area

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AU, TradeMark EA sign partnership to boost intra-African trade and Continental Free Trade Area

Our Reporter.

The African Union (AU) has signed a partnership with TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) aimed at boosting intra-African trade and fast-tracking the realization of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ) in selected Southern and Eastern Africa countries – Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, DRC, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique .

The agreement was signed in Addis Ababa this week by Amb. Albert Muchanga – the AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Amb. Erastus Mwencha – the TradeMark EA Board Chair and Frank Matsaert – the TradeMark EA CEO.

Speaking at the signing, Amb. Albert Muchanga – the AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry noted that the ‘AU is indeed excited to work with TMEA; renowned organisation that has implemented successful trade facilitation programmes in East Africa.’

Amb. Albert Muchanga said; “We want to complement our efforts in implementing the ambitious boosting intra African trade programme, leverage TMEAs experience and ensure similar trade facilitation initiatives are implemented to boost trade and prosperity for the people in this region.”

On behalf of TradeMark East Africa, board Chair, Amb. Erastus Mwencha said, “This partnership with the African Union is an important milestone and embodies our vision for a prosperous Eastern Africa. TMEA can help fast-track implementation of the AfCFTA by supporting the African Union (AU) programme for Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT).”

“By implementing quick win measures to ‘thin’ borders and reduce the cost and time to trade along key corridors, TMEA will help keep momentum going for this ambitious initiative to be realised, while countries are involved in the longer-term exercise of negotiating trade and tariff regimes,” he concluded.

TMEA’s operations across eight countries, working with government, private sector and civil society to address high trade costs in Eastern Africa and support export growth, is well-positioned to support the African Union on its vision for an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

This partnership prioritizes areas of common interest to both organisations including but not limited to the following.

  1. Collaborate on the development of an Action Plan for the implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for selected countries in Southern and Eastern Africa.
  2. Complement each other’s efforts in supporting the implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), specifically the Boosting Intra-Africa Trade (BIAT) initiative which focuses on seven clusters – trade policy, trade facilitation, productive capacity, trade related infrastructure, trade finance, trade information, and factor market integration as drivers for expanding intra-African Trade and agree a work plan for the implementation.
  3. Encourage in a joint manner the inclusion of the voice of the Private Sector in the negotiations and the implementation of the AfCFTA.
  4. Increasing export growth and diversification.
  5. Develop and monitor of trade/transport corridors to improve the flow of goods, services, people and information between countries and regions, including One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs).
  6. Collaboration in areas of transport infrastructure and operations, trade facilitation, trade logistics, ICT for trade, integration of regional trade networks and support to regional value chains of goods and services.
  7. Collaborate on investments and industrial development.

About TMEA;

TradeMark (Trade and Markets) East Africa is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established in 2010, with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TMEA operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, European Union, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom and United States of America.

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