Provisional figures from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) show that Uganda exported 16,967 tonnes of hides and skins in 2001, up from 11,025 tonnes in 2000, worth $18 million in 2000 and $37 million in 2001. Hong Kong was the biggest buyer of Uganda’s hides and skins.
More than 90% of Uganda’s hides and skins are exported raw. Using animal census figures from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the local livestock population in 1998/9 was 6 million cattle and 8 million sheep and goats, and these numbers have increased steadily since 1993, more quickly in recent years.
The URA report also stated that Basajjabalaba Hides and Skins Company tried to establish a processing plant in Mbarare district but were blocked by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) as construction neared completion, due to complaints about the stench from the hides from local residents and waste in the river Rwizi near Mbarara.
As a result, the owner Mr Basajjabalaba decided to relocate the plant to Nairobi, Kenya, and as his company exports 70% of Uganda’s total exports of raw hides and skins, this is a significant loss to Uganda.
