The Uganda Free zones and Export Promotions Authority has trained exporters and free zones operators with emphasis on export readiness, export standards, conformity assessment, certification requirements and customs procedures in a bid to access global markets.
Exporters and free zones operators were trained on technical guidance on pre-export verification of conformity, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, verification, voluntary standards, and free zones opportunities in Uganda.
Representing the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Trade Lynnette Bagonza at Hotel Africana in Kampala on June 4th, 2026, undersecretary Deogratius Masagazi emphasised that Uganda’s development agenda on export-led industrialisation and standards compliance has to become a prerequisite for accessing and sustaining presence in regional and international markets.
“As Uganda expands its footprint in the European Union, Asia, the Middle East and other markets, our success will increasingly depend not only on what we produce but on how well our products meet international standards and regulatory requirements,” Masagazi said.
“Many exporters continue to face challenges arising from limited understanding of conformity requirements, complex procedures, certification costs and documentation gaps that result in shipment delays and rejection of consignments,” Masagazi added.
Rebecca Nalumu, the Senior Manager, Operations and Compliance said that the Government of Uganda has invested significantly in export-oriented policies including the free zones scheme which is designed to attract investment, promote value addition, facilitate industrialisation and increase exports.
The Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotion Authority is a regulatory government agency established by the Free Zones Amendment Act of 2024 and is responsible for the establishment, development, management, marketing, maintenance, supervision and control of free zones.
The Free Zones and Export Promotions Authority was created out of the merger of Uganda Free Zones Authority and Uganda Export Promotions Board under the 2024 policy on rationalisation of government agencies and public expenditure. The merger combines the mandates of regulating free zones and promoting exports, two pillars essential for stimulating sustainable industrial growth and transforming Uganda into an export hub.
The story was written by: Edrisa Ssentongo, a Member of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU)
