The Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives Francis Mwebesa officially inaugurated the inaugural board of the Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotion Authority (UFZEPA). The ceremony was held at the Ministry headquarters in Kampala, the appointment of a diverse group of experts and stakeholders from various sectors, including trade, industry, and finance, constitute the board.

The mandate of the new board is to streamline processes, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and offer incentives that will make Uganda an attractive hub for international business. The newly formed board’s immediate tasks include overseeing the operationalization of the free zones, ensuring compliance with international trade standards, and promoting Uganda’s products globally. They will also work on resolving ongoing challenges related to the merger of previous entities like the Uganda Export Promotion Board and Uganda Free Zones Authority, which has faced delays and confusion among exporters.

The UFZEPA is expected to play a crucial role in implementing Uganda’s trade strategy, focusing on diversifying export products, reducing the trade deficit, and improving the competitiveness of Ugandan goods in the global market. This aligns with broader governmental objectives outlined in the National Development Vision towards 2050 and the new investment policy, which aim at sustainable economic growth.