Rice traders accuse Trade Ministry of restricting import permits to 25 companies

At a press conference in Kampala, the Kampala Rice Traders Association said the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives issued rice import permits to only 20 companies, later 25, leaving trucks stranded at the Mutukula border since 27 July and pushing up prices. Traders alleged that some permit holders are not regular importers and charge others up to Shs180,000 per tonne, and accused ministry officials of facilitating this. A ministry spokesperson said a statement would be issued and did not respond to the allegations.