Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had recently declared his intention to ban imports of second-hand clothing, sparking debates across the nation. The proposed ban, aimed at bolstering local textile industries, has raised concerns among traders and consumers alike, leading to discussions about economic impacts and consumer choices.
President Museveni voiced his concerns about the origins of these imported garments, stating, “When a white person dies, they gather their clothes and send them to Africa.”
The announcement of the potential ban, yet to be enforced by trade authorities pending legal measures such as an executive order, has instilled fear among traders and businesses in Uganda.
These goods, once worn by Europeans and Americans, are then discarded and shipped to African nations through intermediaries. This trade has become a multimillion-dollar industry, with a 2017 study by the US Agency for International Development revealing that approximately two-thirds of the population in seven East African countries have bought at least some of their clothing from the second-hand market.
The Kampala Association of Traders (KACITA) has proposed a phased approach to the ban, allowing local producers time to enhance their capacities. Many Ugandan clothing manufacturers acknowledge the challenges, noting that locally-made fabrics often lack the quality of imported items, leading consumers to prefer second-hand options.
The East African Community trade bloc, comprising Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, has been advocating for the ban on used apparel imports since 2016. Yet, member states have been slow to enforce this recommendation due to pressure exerted by Washington.
