Uganda will impose taxes on imported second hand clothes and shoes to protect its textile industry.

Speaking in Kampala yesterday, President Museveni said second hand textiles accounted for most of the 180 million meters of textiles consumed in the country yearly. 

"If we used locally produced textiles more, we would earn $540million dollars a year, which is a lot more than the $110million we get from coffee exports, '' Mr Museveni said.

He added: "Now that our factories have been revitalised through privatisation, it is time we supported our own products." 

The move to impose tariffs on imported textile has been received with severe criticism from the business community, but President Museveni said it should be appreciated in the context of job creation and increased foreign exchange earnings.

"I will not ban them, but I will tax them. We are struggling to achieve an independent, integrated and self sustaining economy. It is our vision and we are preaching this to Africa because it will never develop unless it adhered to this," he added.