For the second time, the United States has rejected Uganda’s plea for reinstatement under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The U.S. scrapped Uganda off the list of AGOA beneficiaries after Uganda’s Parliament passed the anti-gay law.
In a letter dated October 30, 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden informed the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives of his intention to revoke the status of Uganda, Gabon, Niger, and the Central African Republic as beneficiary countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
“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,” Biden’s letter reads in part.
The letter further states: “Accordingly, I intend to terminate the designation of those countries (Uganda, the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Niger) as beneficiary Sub-Saharan African countries under the AGOA, effective January 1, 2024.”
Specifically regarding Uganda, Biden said, “The government of Uganda has engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.”
During a panel discussion organized by the African Program at The Wilson Center on the bipartisan AGOA Renewal and Improvement Act, which seeks to extend AGOA until 2041, Uganda’s Ambassador to the U.S., Robbie Kakonge, requested a discreet re-entry into AGOA.
“My question is: for those who are off the list of AGOA in this conversation, is there a chance they could get back on the list in the interim?” Ambassador Robbie Kakonge asked
In response, Delaware Senator Chris Coons’ Economic Policy Advisor, Sam DuPont, clarified, “The bill doesn’t change the way the eligibility criteria are reviewed. It’s still up to the executive branch to carry out reviews and determine who is in and who is out.”
This is not the first time Uganda’s request for reconsideration has been met with a cold response from the U.S. In December 2023, President Museveni sent his son-in-law, Odrek Rwabwogo, who doubles as Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), to the U.S. to try to salvage the U.S.-Uganda trade relationship.
Despite Rwabwogo’s appeal, his efforts were met with a negative response.
Established in May 2000, AGOA is the cornerstone of U.S. economic relations with sub-Saharan African countries, allowing their exports duty-free access to the U.S. market.
Recent data shows Uganda’s exports to the U.S. have reached $200 million annually.
On June 25, 2015, the U.S. Congress reauthorized AGOA for an additional ten years, signaling strong support from the American government for investment in Africa.
AGOA is set to expire in September 2025, but discussions are already ongoing about a potential extension and its duration. African governments and industry groups are advocating for an early 10-year extension without changes to reassure businesses and new investors concerned about AGOA’s future.
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