Uganda, UAE to strengthen trade and investment ties at 5th Business Forum

19 August 2026, 10:33 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Uganda and the United Arab Emirates are set to deepen trade, investment and economic cooperation through the fifth edition of the UAE–Uganda Business Forum, scheduled for October 26–29, 2026, in the UAE.

The announcement was made in Kampala by the Head of Mission at the Embassy of Uganda in the UAE, Ambassador Zaake W. Kibedi, and Ambassador Henry Mayega, Head of International Economic Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mayega said the forum would bring together senior government officials, business leaders, investors, financial institutions, chambers of commerce and other stakeholders from Uganda and the UAE.

The forum will be held across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah, with a focus on showcasing Uganda’s investment and export potential while connecting Ugandan businesses with UAE investors, buyers and strategic partners.

Key areas of focus will include agriculture and agro-processing, trade and exports, mining and minerals, tourism, infrastructure, energy, logistics and air cargo, manufacturing, financial services and technology.

Mayega said Uganda intends to use the forum to move beyond dialogue and secure concrete business transactions, investment commitments, partnerships and access to the UAE and wider Gulf markets.

The officials also called on Ugandan businesses, exporters, investors, financial institutions and government agencies to participate in the forum.

According to figures presented, trade between Uganda and the UAE increased from US$600 million in 2018 to US$2.7 billion in 2024, reaching US$4.7 billion in 2025.

UAE foreign direct investment in Uganda also reportedly rose from US$300 million in 2018 to US$3.5 billion in 2025.

The officials further said the UAE had become a second home for more than 150,000 Ugandans by 2025, compared with about 50,000 in 2018.