A fresh dispute has emerged between rice sector actors and officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry over plans to issue permits for the duty-free importation of 100,000 metric tonnes of white rice, valued at approximately Shs199.7 billion.
The permits would allow traders to import milled white rice from outside East Africa.
Industry stakeholders have raised concerns about the economic repercussions of this move, including a potential loss of Shs227.9 billion in taxes and a significant reduction in local rice production.
Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the State Minister for Trade, was unavailable for comment as his phone was off.
Shortage of rice
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