President Donald Trump has ordered a new 15% tariff on Ugandan goods entering the United States, marking a significant step in his administration’s effort to push for what he calls “fair and reciprocal trade.”
The new tariff decision issued on July 31, 2025, under an Executive Order aimed at addressing trade imbalances that Trump argues threaten U.S. national security and economic stability.
“Some countries continue to enjoy better access to our market while placing barriers on American goods. This is a threat to our economy and national security,” he said.
Uganda is among dozens of countries affected by the revised tariff structure. Under the new rules, any Ugandan good with a U.S. import duty of less than 15% will now have the rate raised to meet the 15% threshold. Goods already in transit before the order takes effect in early August will be exempt provided they arrive before October 5, 2025.
Trump’s order replaces earlier tariff rates set under Executive Order 14257 and introduces tougher enforcement against transshipment, where goods are rerouted through third countries to avoid tariffs. Items found to be falsely declared will face a punitive 40% duty and other penalties.
The administration says the changes are also part of a broader national security strategy. Countries that have not aligned with the U.S. on key economic and security issues were assigned higher tariffs. Meanwhile, those working toward agreements with the U.S. may see future relief.
While Uganda’s government has not yet officially responded, trade experts warn the tariff hike could affect major export sectors such as coffee, vanilla, and specialty foods, further straining trade relations between Kampala and Washington.
This comes on the heels of earlier U.S. trade actions against Uganda. In January 2024, President Joe Biden removed Uganda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) over concerns related to human rights, ending duty-free access for several Ugandan products.
Since then, Uganda’s exports to the U.S. have declined by 2%, and exporters are already facing increased costs following a 10% tariff introduced in April 2025.
With the 15% tariff now in effect, Uganda faces even greater pressure to find new trade partners or renegotiate terms with Washington to protect nearly UGX 40 billion in annual export earnings.
