Prioritize throughput capacity (dock doors, staging), SLA history, inventory visibility (WMS/API integrations), value-added services (kitting, returns), and carrier frequency. Also evaluate proximity to core customer clusters and contingency planning for seasonal peaks.

Warehousing near Butambala can reduce storage and labor costs, and shorten last-mile legs to nearby districts, but carrier frequency to remote lanes may be lower than city hubs. Model total landed cost: inventory holding + first/last-mile rates + transit time to identify net savings.

Require an enterprise-grade WMS with API connectivity, barcode-directed picking, real-time inventory sync, configurable SLAs, and support for pick-and-pack, multi-SKU kitting, and reverse logistics. Ask for performance KPIs and sample integration timelines.

Negotiate tiered pricing tied to volume bands, clearly defined SLAs for lead times and accuracy, minimum commitment terms, and clauses for seasonal surges. Validate uptime, penalty structures, and flexibility for space scaling or early termination.