Logistics services in Uganda.

Uganda logistics overview: modes, trade and gateways

Logistics services in Uganda rely on cross-border road links to seaports, air cargo through international and regional airports, and limited rail. Uganda is landlocked with no coastline or seaports, so containers and bulk cargo move mainly by road to ports in Kenya and Tanzania.

Road freight connects Kampala to Mombasa at about 1,166 km and to Dar Es Salaam at about 1,501 km, as well as to neighbouring countries. Air freight moves through Entebbe International Airport and several secondary airports. Rail offers about 1,244 km of track and handled about 218 million tonne-km in 2002.

Freight forwarders in Uganda need to manage inland moves to seaports such as Mombasa and Dar Es Salaam, then connect with ocean carriers. Shippers should check that a forwarder has experience on these specific corridors and can coordinate with shipping lines that keep offices in Kampala, including APL, CMA CGM, Emirates Shipping Line, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, Maersk and ONE.

Uganda’s overall logistics performance index was 2.58 in 2018, slightly below the world median of 2.7. Customs scored 2.61, close to the median of 2.6, while infrastructure was weaker at 2.19 versus 2.6. When choosing freight forwarders in Uganda, ask how they handle infrastructure constraints and typical import lead times of about 14 days. Given strong trade links with India, UAE, Hong Kong, South Sudan, Kenya, China and Tanzania, experience with these lanes and with COMESA and EAC procedures is useful.

FCL and LCL shipping from and to Uganda moves through foreign seaports because the country has no coastline. The main road gateway ports are Mombasa in Kenya at about 1,166 km from Kampala and Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania at about 1,501 km. Some routings also use Muqdisho in Somalia at about 1,891 km by road.

Ocean carriers serve Uganda indirectly, with inland offices in Kampala. Shipping lines with offices here include APL, CMA CGM, Emirates Shipping Line, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, Maersk and ONE. These lines handle container bookings, while containers move by road between Kampala and the chosen seaport for both FCL and LCL shipments.

Rail and road freight in Uganda connect the inland market to neighbouring states and to seaports. The rail network extends about 1,244 km and carried about 218 million tonne-km in 2002, providing an additional option to road on some corridors.

Road freight handles most international movements. Uganda borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania. Key road routes link Kampala to Mombasa at about 1,166 km and to Dar Es Salaam at about 1,501 km, with longer routings to Muqdisho at about 1,891 km, supporting transit for container and break-bulk cargo.

Customs clearance in Uganda operates under long-standing participation in global and regional trade frameworks. Uganda has been a member of the World Customs Organization since 1964 and is a member of the World Trade Organization, as well as COMESA, the EAC and the AU.

The average applied tariff was about 7.86 percent in 2022. Uganda’s LPI customs score was 2.61 in 2018, very close to the world median of 2.6, suggesting moderate predictability. Export border compliance typically takes about 3 days, while imports take about 14 days. Shippers should prepare at least a commercial invoice, packing list and transport document to keep clearance moving.