Uganda Earned More from Exports Last Year Than Ever Before – But Most Ugandans Are Still Asking Where the Money Went

Last year Uganda made a record thirteen point four three billion dollars from exports. Gold brought in over six point four billion, coffee added two point four six billion and even cocoa, electricity and fish did very well. On paper this is wonderful news.

Yet for the ordinary person in the village or the market, life still feels the same. A big reason is that much of that gold is not even dug in Uganda. It comes from neighbouring countries and is only processed here. And too much of the profit still flies out instead of staying to build factories, pay better wages or fix roads where the real work happens.

Presidential advisor Odrek Rwabwogo said it clearly. We should stop celebrating big numbers and start adding value at home. The European Union is already offering money to help us roast and package our own coffee instead of selling raw beans. If we seize that chance, small farmers and miners can earn more and keep more money inside the country.

The big export figures only become sweet when they create real jobs and better lives for the people who actually produce the goods. That is the conversation we should be having now.