What enables a landlocked country to demonstrate remarkable vitality in international trade? The answer lies in embracing change and actively optimizing trade processes. The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) understands this well, having proactively sought expertise from the World Customs Organization (WCO) to embark on a transformative journey toward trade facilitation.
Strategic Partnership for Progress
From September 18 to 23, 2017, at the invitation of URA, the WCO dispatched a team of experts to conduct a comprehensive assessment of Uganda's implementation of trade facilitation measures. This mission represented more than a routine visit—it signified the WCO's steadfast support for Uganda's efforts to effectively implement the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
The experts engaged in technical discussions with senior Ugandan customs officials, covering critical areas such as strategic planning, the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, risk management, human resource development, post-clearance audits, and information technology applications. These topics directly impact both customs operational efficiency and Uganda's broader trade environment.
To gain comprehensive insights, the team also consulted with Uganda's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, along with key development partners in trade facilitation. Field visits to the Mutukula One-Stop Border Post at the Tanzania-Uganda border provided tangible evidence of trade facilitation reforms in action.
A Decade of Preparation
Since 2006, URA has pursued a clear strategy to fulfill its revenue collection, trade facilitation, and trade security mandates through active application of WCO instruments and standards. These include:
- The SAFE Framework of Standards
- The Risk Management Compendium
- The Framework of Practices and Principles on Customs Professionalism
- The Leadership and Management Development Programme
The WCO has commended URA's significant progress, particularly the launch of the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System and establishment of the centralized Customs Document Processing Centre. These initiatives form the foundation for Uganda's trade facilitation agenda and enable more targeted WCO support.
Integrated Planning for Long-Term Development
The assessment created opportunities to align WCO programs—including the East African Community's CREATe initiative—with Uganda's TFA-related capacity building needs. This integration will help Uganda develop a comprehensive multi-year development plan that not only guides future reforms but also positions the country as a model for other landlocked developing nations.
WCO experts applauded Uganda's recent TFA ratification and its notification of Category B and C commitments following earlier Category A notifications—demonstrating the government's strong commitment to trade facilitation. The WCO looks forward to refining its support programs to better complement Uganda's national implementation plan.
Charting the Path Forward
At the mission's conclusion, the WCO team presented findings to Uganda's Commissioner of Customs and committed to delivering a Mercator Strategy draft within weeks. This strategic document will provide clearer direction for Uganda's trade facilitation reforms and support greater achievements in international trade.
Understanding the Mercator Strategy
The Mercator Strategy is the WCO's comprehensive framework for assisting member economies with TFA implementation. Through technical assistance, capacity building, and strategic guidance, it helps customs administrations streamline trade processes—reducing costs, improving efficiency, and fostering economic growth.
Key elements include:
- Gap analysis: Comprehensive evaluation of current TFA implementation status
- Strategic planning: Development of national TFA implementation strategies
- Capacity building: Targeted training and knowledge transfer
- Technical support: IT solutions to enhance transparency and risk management
- Cooperation: Strengthening inter-agency and cross-border coordination
- Monitoring: Tracking implementation progress and impact
Uganda's Trade Facilitation Journey: Challenges and Prospects
As a landlocked developing country, Uganda faces unique trade facilitation challenges but possesses significant potential. Geographic constraints, infrastructure limitations, and complex customs procedures have hindered global value chain integration. However, proactive TFA implementation offers pathways to overcome these obstacles.
Primary challenges include:
- Dependence on neighboring countries' ports for international trade
- Underdeveloped transport, storage, and communication infrastructure
- Cumbersome documentation requirements and procedural complexities
- Capacity gaps in training, technology, and risk management
- Coordination challenges among government agencies and with private sector
Key opportunities emerge from:
- TFA implementation framework for systemic reforms
- East African Community regional integration
- Technology applications for customs modernization
- International technical assistance programs
- Private sector engagement in reform processes
To capitalize on these opportunities, Uganda should prioritize infrastructure development, customs process simplification, transparency enhancement, capacity building, and improved inter-agency coordination.