The Uganda Shilling continues its recovering road from its loss of 17% last year. Experts are confident to see further gain after the long awaited PTA Bank loan came through three weeks ago. In a bid to support the struggling Shilling, last year government embarked on the process of securing a $200 million (Shs690 billion) from the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, known as PTA Bank.
Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Keith Muhakanizi, confirmed Parliament’s clearance of the PTA loan after Cabinet’s earlier approval. “The loan was cleared by Parliament and Cabinet and we are already discussing its budgeting,” Mr Muhakanizi said. Last year the Uganda central bank sold dollars on numerous occasions as means of buttressing the local currency, which had depreciated by about 17 % against the dollar in 2015.
Mr. Stephen Kaboyo, the managing partner at Alpha Capital, a forex trading firm, shared: “For the last couple of days the Shilling has shed off some of its losses to trade below the key level of 3450 driven mainly by interbank liquidation of long dollar positions.” He added that subdued corporate demand due to mid-month tax obligations amidst improved inflows was another reason behind the Shilling’s gain.
Experts said another key factor that is likely to generate positive sentiment for the Shilling through PTA’s US$200 million that hit the government books end of last month.