The United States has once again rejected Uganda’s request for reinstatement under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This follows Uganda’s removal from the list of AGOA beneficiaries after its Parliament passed a controversial anti-gay law.
In a letter dated October 30, 2023, President Joe Biden informed the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives of his intention to revoke the beneficiary status of Uganda, along with Gabon, Niger, and the Central African Republic, under 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 stated in his letter. The letter also specified that the termination of these countries’ designations as AGOA beneficiaries would be effective January 1, 2024.
Regarding Uganda specifically, Biden cited “gross violations of internationally recognized human rights” by the Ugandan government as the reason for this decision.
During a recent 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, sought 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?” Kakonge inquired.
In response, Sam DuPont, Economic Policy Advisor to Delaware Senator Chris Coons, 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 denied by the U.S. In December 2023, President Museveni sent his son-in-law, Odrek Rwabwogo, who is also Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), to the U.S. to attempt to salvage the trade relationship. Despite Rwabwogo’s efforts, his appeal was unsuccessful.
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. While AGOA is set to expire in September 2025, discussions are already ongoing about a potential extension. 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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