Uganda

1.2 - Information available through internet

Articles	1.2.1 (a), (b), (c) – 1.2.2 – 1.2.3 View measure text
Indicative date of implementation	1 July 2024
Definitive date of implementation	1 July 2024
Extension of time	Request received 19 August 2022 New date requested 31 December 2023 Date approved Reason Uganda hereby notifies, pursuant to Article 16.3, that it requires additional time to notify its definitive dates for Category C provisions. It therefore requests that the Committee on Trade Facilitation consider extending the period for the notification of definitive dates for Category C provisions until 31 December 2023. The Government of the Republic of Uganda remains fully committed to the effective implementation of the TFA and the fulfilment of its obligations but has been unable to meet the deadline for notification because of challenges related to the COVID 19 pandemic and the unavailability of the requisite technical assistance. Committee approval: Approved Link to notification G/TFA/N/UGA/1/Add.1
Assistance required for implementation	1. Creation of a comprehensive trade information portal with advanced ICT infrastructure. 2. Documentation under the national trade portal/financial support for translation. 3. Review, develop and establish information management systems where they do not exist in other trade facilitating entities. 4. Review and develop appropriate statutory instruments necessary for the simplification of the TF initiatives and measures. 5. Purchase and install the required modern equipment and infrastructure. 6. Review and strengthen rules and regulations to support efficient management of trade information systems. 7. Develop and operationalize rules and guidelines for publishing information via internet taking into consideration the interests of the different stakeholders. 8. Develop and implement change management strategy in the different organisations/Training and sensitization of all stakeholders. Tags: Information and communication technologies (ICT), Legislative and regulatory framework, Infrastructure and equipment, Institutional procedures, Human resources and training, Awareness-raising
Donor / Agency	TradeMark Africa, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, International Trade Centre, Swisscontact
Progress reported	12 June 2024 — G/TFA/N/UGA/4 TMEA financed the establishment of a One Stop Shop for Trade Information Repository (Uganda Trade Information Portal) while UNCTAD provided infrastructure and technical assistance to document 55 products (43 exports/12 imports), 348 procedures, Transit -11, 72 Institutions, 39 legal documents and 227 forms for export and import. ITC supported a few private sector engagements on coffee and cocoa export documents under the EU-EAC-Mark Up project Phase one. Swiss-Contact provided support for capturing data and information on fruits and vegetables sector which was uploaded on the Portal. Impact: Real time trade information on the Portal, reduced cost and time to search for information, feedback on complaints by users addressed. Five EAC Partner States run similar Trade Information Portals and easily accessible to investors and global exporters. So far 36 of 49 procedures are under simplification, 6 steps eliminated, 29 steps digitalized and 21 documents have been eliminated, 11 hours saved. Beneficiaries: The General Public, Traders, International business community etc. Funding Gap: Documentation of other key Products and Services; Funding the communication strategy, Simplification of procedures through the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and funding a Secretariat of NTFC to follow up on implementation of the agreement and business community inquiries; automation of different Public digital systems. Sustainability of Trade Information Portal; Change Management of human resources and institutions; Capacity building for the business community and the general public.

Feedback