By Spy Uganda
Kampala: The United States has officially removed Uganda and three other African countries as beneficiaries of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), ending Uganda chances to export certain commodities to the US duty-free.
In a statement dated December 29 2023, President Joe Biden said he had “determined” that the four countries “do not meet the requirements” necessary to allow them to continue benefiting from the trade deal, effecting his earlier stated plans to delist them.
“Accordingly, I have decided to terminate the designations of the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda as beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries for purposes of section 506A of the Trade Act, effective January 1, 2024,” President Biden said in a statement.
In October last year, President Biden had expressed his intention to delist the four countries from AGOA, citing reasons such as Uganda’s alleged “gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.
”I am taking this step because I have determined that the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda do not meet the eligibility requirements of section 104 of the AGOA. Specifically, the government of the Central African Republic has engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights and has not established, or is not making continual progress toward establishing, the protection of internationally recognized worker rights, the rule of law, and political pluralism. Niger and the government of Gabon have not established, or are not making continual progress toward establishing, the protection of political pluralism and the rule of law. Finally, the government of Uganda has engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights” Joe Biden said in October last year.
”Despite intensive engagement between the United States and the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda, these countries have failed to address United States concerns about their non-compliance with the AGOA eligibility criteria. Accordingly, I intend to terminate the designation of these countries as beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries under the AGOA, effective January 1, 2024. I will continue to assess whether the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda meet the AGOA eligibility requirements” Biden further noted.
Despite efforts by President Museveni, who sent a delegation led by Odrek Rwabwogo, Chairperson of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development, to advocate against Uganda’s expulsion from AGOA, President Biden upheld the initial decision.
While responding to the expulsion in October last year, President Museveni downplayed its impact on Uganda, urging citizens not to be overly concerned.
“Some of these actors in the Western world overestimate themselves and underestimate the freedom fighters of Africa. As far as Uganda is concerned, we can achieve our growth and transformation targets, even if some of the actors do not support us,” Museveni said.
The AGOA expulsion came after President Yoweri Museveni assented to the anti-gay law passed by parliament of Uganda which introduced serious penalties including; life imprisonment or death, for same-sex relations in the country.
