Uganda is seeking to regain and expand access to the United States market following the reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), according to Odrek Rwabwogo, chairperson of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Export and Industrial Development (PACEID).
Rwabwogo said the extension of AGOA restores a critical trade window for African countries and provides Uganda with an opportunity to rebuild confidence among exporters and investors after its suspension from the programme in January 2024.
AGOA was reauthorized on February 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump signed legislation extending the trade framework until December 31, 2026, with retroactive effect from September 30, 2025. The decision ends months of uncertainty after the programme expired last year.
The trade initiative allows eligible sub-Saharan African countries to export thousands of products to the United States duty-free, including agricultural produce, textiles, apparel and selected manufactured goods.
Rwabwogo said Ugandan officials maintained engagement with U.S. lawmakers during the suspension period to keep the country’s case active. He noted that meetings were held in December with officials from Senator Chris Coons’ office, alongside African ambassadors, civil society representatives and trade experts. Additional engagements were also conducted with Congressman Jason Smith, chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means.
According to Rwabwogo, these engagements contributed to the House Committee’s approval of a bill to renew AGOA following a strong bipartisan vote. He added that PACEID continued supporting Ugandan exporters to sustain links with the U.S. market despite the uncertainty.
He said new commercial opportunities emerged in U.S. cities such as Detroit, Chicago and Atlanta, enabling Ugandan businesses to remain connected to buyers during the period when the programme had lapsed.
Announcing the extension, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said AGOA must evolve to reflect modern trade realities. Greer noted that Washington would work with Congress to modernize the programme to deliver stronger outcomes for both Africa and the United States, including improved market access for American businesses, farmers and ranchers.
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AGOA eligibility requires participating countries to demonstrate progress toward market-based economic reforms, respect for the rule of law, political pluralism and due process, as well as the protection of human rights and the removal of barriers to U.S. trade and investment.
For Uganda, Rwabwogo said the extension offers a renewed opportunity to reposition its exporters as discussions continue on the programme’s long-term future.
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