The Ministry of Finance decided to remove tax incentives on paddy and husked rice given to importers, lifting the duty to the same level of fully-processed rice. Import duties were lowered in June last year and were supposed to be effective for one year. The tax rate charged on imported rice is going from the subsidized rate of USD 250 (UGX 900 350) per tonne back to USD 345 (UGX 1.24 million) per tonne, in accordance with the East African Community common external tariff. The country imports around half of its consumption requirements and the measure aims to boost domestic production and reduce imports.