Search tenders
Made here

The twenty imports Uganda is best placed to replace.

Uganda imported USD 7.0bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 1.5bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 1.3bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
36products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
368products Uganda already exports well
133product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Uganda already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Uganda would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Uganda does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured)HS 252310

    Comes fromKenya 67%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 12k
    Countries that export it well36

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 153m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); Kenya supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 153mdown 6% on 2022
  2. 2

    Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 230990

    Comes fromNetherlands 43%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa (exports USD 10m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 779k
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 128m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); Netherlands supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 128mup 30% on 2022
  3. 3

    Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 390761

    Comes fromChina 94%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 26m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 109m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); China supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 109mup 14% on 2022
  4. 4

    Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition...HS 870210

    Comes fromJapan 60%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 842k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 35m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); Japan supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 35mup 58% on 2022
  5. 5

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromIndia 52%, 74 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 31m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 211m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); India supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 211mdown 17% on 2022
  6. 6

    Odoriferous substances and mixtures: of a kind used in the food or drink industriesHS 330210

    Comes fromIreland 55%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 302k
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 113m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); Ireland supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 113mup 43% on 2022
  7. 7

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 45%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 57m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 91m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); Saudi Arabia supplies 45 per cent (1).

    USD 91mdown 3% on 2022
  8. 8

    Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 41%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 738k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 72m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); Saudi Arabia supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 72mup 6% on 2022
  9. 9

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromChina 44%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow... (exports USD 31m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 50m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); China supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 50mup 130% on 2022
  10. 10

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 721070

    Comes fromKenya 95%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, width 600mm or... (exports USD 64k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 49m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); Kenya supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 49mdown 11% on 2022
  11. 11

    Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel: containing by weight less than 0.25% of...HS 720711

    Comes fromChina 67%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 46m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 46mup 19% on 2022
  12. 12

    Fungicides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings...HS 380892

    Comes fromChina 48%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGelatin (including gelatin in rectangular sheets, whether or not... (exports USD 7m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 700k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 54m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 40m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); China supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 40mdown 8% on 2022
  13. 13

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of...HS 721391

    Comes fromChina 71%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly... (exports USD 452k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 75k
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 35m, top 26 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); China supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 35mdown 32% on 2022
  14. 14

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: n.e.c. in heading no. 3105HS 310590

    Comes fromKenya 55%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 207k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 30m, top 30 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Kenya supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 30mup 60% on 2022
  15. 15

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 voltsHS 854460

    Comes fromChina 66%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 20k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 20m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 30m, top 31 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 30mup 202% on 2022
  16. 16

    Buildings: prefabricated, not of woodHS 940690

    Comes fromChina 55%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 522k
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 29m, top 32 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); China supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 29mup 47% on 2022
  17. 17

    Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any materialHS 961900

    Comes fromKenya 52%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 26m, top 36 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); Kenya supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 26mup 0% on 2022
  18. 18

    Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids: acid oils from refining: (other than stearic acid, oleic acid or tall oil fatty...HS 382319

    Comes fromIndonesia 44%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 162k
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 26m, top 37 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); Indonesia supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 26mdown 30% on 2022
  19. 19

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or...HS 640299

    Comes fromChina 92%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 425k
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 22m, top 45 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); China supplies 92 per cent (2).

    USD 22mdown 18% on 2022
  20. 20

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)HS 401110

    Comes fromChina 73%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 712k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 34m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 48 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); China supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 20mup 4% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products Uganda already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles: fitted with an auxiliary motor... imports USD 137m, exports USD 44m, top source India 82%
  • Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated... imports USD 33m, exports USD 7m, top source Kenya 55%
  • Sugar confectionery: chewing gum, whether or not sugar-coated, not containing... imports USD 24m, exports USD 1m, top source Kenya 98%
  • Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine... imports USD 35m, exports USD 17m, top source Japan 80%
  • Machinery: for filling, closing, sealing, capsuling or labelling bottles... imports USD 19m, exports USD 4m, top source Italy 29%
  • Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: n.e.c. in item no. 8429.50 imports USD 43m, exports USD 29m, top source China 70%
  • Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda): solid imports USD 15m, exports USD 3m, top source India 77%
  • Medicaments: containing antimalarial active principles described in Subheading... imports USD 12m, exports USD 1m, top source China 77%
  • Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded... imports USD 11m, exports USD 2m, top source Kenya 68%
  • Yeasts: active imports USD 10m, exports USD 3m, top source Turkey 22%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 133 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

Want the Uganda edition kept current?

Leave an address and each new edition comes to you as the record moves. Tick the box if you would want the next layer for Uganda: which public bodies buy each line, once that record is readable.

Your address is used to send this list and its later editions, nothing else. Privacy

What Uganda buys, and from whom: the trade lanes into Uganda.

Run a company? Check it against the developments BuzzBaboon follows, free.