The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives has announced that the Cuban government has requested Uganda to provide a minimum of 100,000 metric tonnes of maize annually, along with various other grains. During the recent Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) and G77 plus China (G77+China) summits, Ms. Geraldine Ssali, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, revealed that Cuba presented a list of food items they require, with maize being the most urgent.
Ms. Ssali emphasized the importance of the Industry Self-Regulation Scheme launched for Uganda’s Grain sector, which aims to regulate the numerous players in the industry. This initiative aligns with the ongoing review of the 2015 National Grain Policy, ensuring compliance with standards for exported food products, which have faced setbacks due to phytosanitary standards in various markets.
Acknowledging the demand for Ugandan food in international markets, Ms. Ssali highlighted the significance of the recently enacted Competitions Act in addressing unfair trade practices within the country.
Ms. Carolyne Nankinga, the assistant commissioner for Phytosanitary and Anti-Quarantine, emphasized the importance of establishing a code of conduct for industry self-regulation in the grain sector. This initiative aims to ensure that all grain produced meets the required standards for trading and consumption.
Mr. Robert Mwanje, Chairman of the Grain Council of Uganda, emphasized the need for quality control measures, citing concerns over aflatoxin contamination and waste in maize production. The guidelines developed by the council aim to address quality issues and improve standards throughout the grain value chain, facilitating access to international markets and mitigating trade barriers, such as aflatoxin-related restrictions imposed by Kenya and South Sudan.
