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The twenty imports Uganda is best placed to replace.

Uganda imported USD 7.3bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 1.9bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 1.4bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
54products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
368products Uganda already exports well
140product 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 strengthCement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially... (exports USD 85m)
    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 strengthBran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the... (exports USD 24m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 779k
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 128m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 9 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 strengthPlastics: carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the... (exports USD 21m)
    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 31 per cent (1); China supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 109mup 14% on 2022
  4. 4

    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 strengthMedicaments: containing antibiotics other than penicillins... (exports USD 1m)
    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 32 per cent (1); India supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 211mdown 17% on 2022
  5. 5

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

    Comes fromIreland 55%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for... (exports USD 25m)
    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 36 per cent (1); Ireland supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 113mup 43% on 2022
  6. 6

    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 strengthPlastics: carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the... (exports USD 21m)
    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 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); Saudi Arabia supplies 45 per cent (1).

    USD 91mdown 3% on 2022
  7. 7

    Clothing: worn, and other worn articlesHS 630900

    Comes fromChina 53%, 89 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of man-made... (exports USD 5m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 711k
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 87m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); China supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 87mdown 3% on 2022
  8. 8

    Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210

    Comes fromSaudi Arabia 41%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the... (exports USD 21m)
    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 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); Saudi Arabia supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 72mup 6% on 2022
  9. 9

    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: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or... (exports USD 52m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 49m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); Kenya supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 49mdown 11% on 2022
  10. 10

    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 strengthIron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or... (exports USD 52m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 46m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 46mup 19% on 2022
  11. 11

    Ferrous waste and scrap: of tinned iron or steelHS 720430

    Comes fromSouth Sudan 48%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or... (exports USD 52m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 26k
    Countries that export it well42

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 45m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); South Sudan supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 45mdown 22% 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 strengthRosin and resin acids (exports USD 10m)
    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 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); China supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 40mdown 8% on 2022
  13. 13

    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 strengthMotorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles: fitted with an auxiliary... (exports USD 44m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 842k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 35m, top 26 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); Japan supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 35mup 58% on 2022
  14. 14

    Salt (including table salt and denatured salt): pure sodium chloride whether or not in aqueous solution: sea waterHS 250100

    Comes fromKenya 98%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially... (exports USD 85m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 26m, top 36 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); Kenya supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 26mup 17% on 2022
  15. 15

    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 4 of 8: import bill USD 50m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); China supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 50mup 130% on 2022
  16. 16

    Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a...HS 490700

    Comes fromMorocco 36%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 189k
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 45m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2).

    USD 45mup 277% on 2022
  17. 17

    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, hot-drawn or... (exports USD 52m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 75k
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 35m, top 27 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); China supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 35mdown 32% on 2022
  18. 18

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

    Comes fromKenya 55%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, ammonium nitrate... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 207k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 30m, top 31 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Kenya supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 30mup 60% on 2022
  19. 19

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 voltsHS 854460

    Comes fromChina 66%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectric generating sets: with compression-ignition internal... (exports USD 1m)
    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 32 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); China supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 30mup 202% on 2022
  20. 20

    Buildings: prefabricated, not of woodHS 940690

    Comes fromChina 55%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMattresses: of cellular rubber or plastics, whether or not covered (exports USD 7m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 522k
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 29m, top 33 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Uganda's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); China supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 29mup 47% on 2022

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 140 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 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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