East African Leaders Seek Ban on Popular Used Clothing Imports, Despite Economic Blowback

Used clothing from the West is very popular in East Africa, sold at massive markets like Owino Market in Uganda. The clothes are cheap and seen as higher quality.

Uganda's president Museveni has ordered a ban on imported used clothing, saying it comes from dead people in the West. But the ban hasn't been enforced yet.

Other East African countries also want to restrict used clothing imports to help their local textile industries. But the clothes are a key source of affordable apparel.

Traders and sellers strongly oppose any ban, saying it would destroy their livelihoods and deny consumers cheap clothes.

Supporters of a ban say locally-made clothes could replace imports if given time, but acknowledge current quality issues.