Despite enjoying duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market under the “Everything But Arms” (EBA) initiative, Uganda’s export performance remains constrained by non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that disproportionately affect high-value agro-food products such as coffee, fish, and horticulture. Using firm-level survey data and case studies, this paper identifies sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, technical standards, and burdensome certification procedures as the most significant NTBs encountered by Ugandan exporters in the EU market.

Compliance challenges:

While EU regulations ensure consumer safety, their complexity and lack of harmonisation with EAC standards create compliance costs that smallholder-dominated value chains struggle to absorb. Additionally, logistical bottlenecks—including high airfreight costs, inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, and delays at Entebbe International Airport—amplify the impact of EU NTBs, particularly for perishable exports.

Role of export promotion institutions:

The study further reveals that Uganda’s nascent export promotion institutions (e.g., the Uganda Coffee Development Authority) play a critical role in mitigating NTBs by facilitating certification and quality upgrades. However, gaps in technical assistance and limited access to EU-approved laboratories perpetuate asymmetric compliance burdens.

Potential for cost reduction:

Findings suggest that regulatory coherence between the EU and EAC, coupled with targeted investments in transport and testing infrastructure, could reduce NTB-related trade costs by up to 20–30%, enhancing Uganda’s export competitiveness.

Conclusion and policy recommendations:

The paper concludes with policy recommendations for deeper EU–EAC cooperation on SPS harmonisation, mutual recognition agreements, and capacity-building to unlock the full potential of Uganda’s EBA benefits.