Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni’s ratification of a highly repressive anti-homosexuality law at the end of May once again thrust Kampala into the international spotlight. But amidst a chorus of condemnation from major Western embassies, staff at State House were working to increase trade with these same partners. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Uganda’s trade deficit has continued to widen, reaching a record $4bn for goods and services in