By Spy Uganda
Kampala: President Yoweri Museveni has hit back at the United States over its recent decision to exclude Uganda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade program.
In his response, Museveni reassured Ugandans that the country can continue its progress without Western support.
“I need to advise you not to be overly concerned about the recent actions taken by the American government to discourage their companies from investing in Uganda and removing Uganda from the AGOA list,” Museveni said in a statement.
“Some of these actors in the Western world overestimate themselves and underestimate the freedom fighters of Africa,” he added
Last week, President Biden announced the removal of Uganda, along with three other African countries, including the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Niger, from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants exports from qualifying countries in Sub-Saharan Africa duty-free access to the U.S. market.
The United States explained that the decision to exclude Uganda was due to the implementation of an anti-LGBTQ law, which was deemed a “serious violation” of internationally recognized human rights.
“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,” President Biden conveyed in a letter to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
President Museveni firmly emphasized that it is a misperception for some foreign entities to assume that Africa’s advancement hinges solely on their support.
“Certainly, as far as Uganda is concerned, we have the capacity to achieve our growth and transformation targets, even if some of these actors do not support us,” he said.
According to United States government data, the United States exchanged goods with Uganda, exporting products worth $167 million and importing commodities valued at $174 million from the East African nation.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), launched in 2000, has been a vital component of this trade relationship, offering qualifying countries duty-free access to the U.S. market.
