By David Rupiny
Uganda earned $1.346 billion (about UGX 4.97 trillion) from merchandise exports in May, marking a 12.8% increase from $1.193 billion (UGX 4.40 trillion) earned in the same month last year.
The increase in exports was driven by strong earnings from gold, tobacco, oil re-exports and electricity.
According to the June 2026 Performance of the Economy Report released by the finance ministry, export receipts, however, declined by 4.2% from $1.405 billion (UGX 5.18 trillion) recorded in April, mainly due to lower earnings from gold and coffee, Uganda’s two largest export commodities.
The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi, said Uganda’s exceptional export performance demonstrates the success of deliberate government policies centred on industrialisation, value addition, export promotion, and expanding market access.
The minister noted that exports of goods and services have grown by about 204% over the past five years, with total export earnings increasing from $5.93bn in the 12 months to March 2022 to $18.04bn in the year ending March 2026.
Key exports
- Gold – $814.78m
- Coffee – $151.70m
- Tobacco – $8.15m
- Tea – $4.40m
- Cotton – $3.71m
- Flowers – $6.02m
- Beans – $2.74m
- Maize – $7.40m
- Fish – $10.59m
- Informal cross-border exports – $69.7m
Major export destinations
- Middle East
- East African Community
- Asia
- European Union
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