Trade between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates has surged past US$2 billion, as more than 120 businesses from both countries met during the UAE–East Africa Trade and Investment Mission in Kampala. The breakthrough comes as Ugandan and UAE firms deepen economic ties across agribusiness, ICT, energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
State Minister for Trade Wilson Mbasu Mbadi described the growth as a sign that the Gulf is “ready to do business,” adding that Uganda aims to expand this non-oil trade tenfold. As part of this push, more than 120 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed between Ugandan and Emirati firms, covering everything from coffee exports to light manufacturing.
Uganda’s exports to the UAE are increasingly diversified gold, coffee, tea, fish, and fresh produce now make up a growing share of shipments. On the import side, the UAE provides vehicles, textiles, electronics, machinery, and petroleum products. The UAE’s efficient logistics networks, including Dubai ports and Emirates SkyCargo, are helping power this growth.
Behind the trade is Uganda’s ambitious Tenfold Growth Strategy, which seeks to industrialize the country through investments in value-add sectors. To back this, Uganda is investing heavily in infrastructure: the Entebbe Airport expansion, the Kampala–Jinja Expressway, the revival of Uganda Railways, and development of inland ports like Bukasa and Port Bell.
Rosa Malango, Uganda’s Special Envoy on Tourism and Trade, painted an even broader vision: Uganda is open for cooperation in upstream oil, petrochemicals, refinery construction, and energy infrastructure. She cited a $20 million investment by UAE firm Amea Power in a 20MW solar plant in Arua as proof of growing interest in green energy.
To further institutionalize these ties, Malango proposed creating a Uganda–UAE Business Council under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) umbrella. Such a body, she argued, would streamline investments, remove trade barriers, and open up pan-African markets to Emirati investors.
Rita Nabateregga from the Uganda Investment Authority made the case for investing in Uganda: its location gives companies access to a 1.3 billion-strong market across EAC, COMESA, and AfCFTA. To sweeten the deal, Uganda offers incentives including 10-year tax holidays, zero-duty import of machinery, and deductions for research and development.
For both countries, the message is clear: this growing non-oil trade relationship isn’t just about numbers it’s a long-term commitment to investment, industrialization, and shared prosperity.