Business 28 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Malaba and Entebbe Courier Centre Dominate Uganda's Import Landscape
Uganda's import trade has surged significantly, with a select few entry points handling nearly 98% of all goods. Malaba and Entebbe Courier Centre have emerged as the dominant gateways, processing trillions of shillings in imports. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/markets/uganda-s-most-important-entry-ports-and-the-trillions-they-handle-5477370
Uganda’s import trade has witnessed substantial expansion in recent years, with customs data revealing that a concentrated group of entry points manages the vast majority of the nation’s imported goods. Between June 2022 and June 2025, Uganda’s imports climbed from Shs32.12 trillion to Shs56.83 trillion, reflecting a growing reliance on international trade.
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) identifies around 34 entry stations, yet the import economy is heavily steered by a few strategic locations. Malaba Station stands out as the primary import gateway, responsible for 36.41 percent of import traffic in the period ending June 2025. Its strategic placement along the Northern Corridor, linking Uganda to Kenya’s port infrastructure, is key to its dominance, facilitating the import of containerized cargo, fuel, machinery, vehicles, and consumer goods.
Complementing Malaba’s land-based import flow is the Entebbe Courier Centre, which has experienced explosive growth. Driven by the e-commerce boom and a rise in express parcel deliveries, this centre saw its import traffic skyrocket from Shs98.21 billion in June 2022 to Shs16.71 trillion in June 2025, establishing it as Uganda’s second-largest trade gateway by value. This surge highlights the increasing importance of air cargo and courier logistics for high-value, lower-volume goods.
Mombasa Port, Uganda’s principal maritime gateway from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, handled Shs7.24 trillion in imports. Entebbe Cargo Centre processed Shs3.52 trillion, serving critical roles for pharmaceuticals, electronics, and time-sensitive imports. Busia border point also remains significant, particularly for cross-border trade and wholesale activities, handling Shs1.09 trillion in imports.
Collectively, these top five entry points—Malaba, Entebbe Courier Centre, Mombasa Port, Entebbe Cargo Centre, and Busia—accounted for approximately 97.66 percent of Uganda’s total recorded import traffic. This concentration underscores the nation’s considerable dependence on a few vital trade corridors and logistics hubs for its economic sustenance and growth.
This data is derived from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Annual Data Book 2024/25.