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
. While EU regulations ensure consumer safety, their complexity and lack of harmonization 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
.
The study further reveals that Uganda’s nascent export promotion institutions (e.g., 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. 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. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for deeper
EU-EAC cooperation on SPS harmonization, mutual recognition agreements, and capacity-building to unlock the full potential of
Uganda’s EBA benefits.