Uganda has officially positioned itself as a prime destination for investment, with Prime Minister Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja launching the Karibu Newsletter during the opening of the 4th Uganda-UAE Business Forum 2025 in Munyonyo. The forum brings together government officials, business leaders, and policymakers from both nations to strengthen trade, investment, and economic cooperation. Prime Minister Nabbanja conveyed warm greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, emphasizing that Uganda is committed to unlocking opportunities and building strong economic bridges with the UAE.
Highlighting the progress in Uganda-UAE relations, the Prime Minister recalled recent high-level visits and agreements. “President Museveni visited the UAE multiple times last year, while His Highness Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Uganda in May 2025. These visits resulted in six Memoranda of Understanding covering investment, capacity building, energy, transport, ICT, and visa waivers. These MOUs reflect our deep economic cooperation and shared commitment to sustainable development,” Nabbanja stated.
The Karibu Newsletter, launched during the forum, aims to strengthen engagement and communication between Uganda and the UAE, promoting mutual respect and collaboration. The Prime Minister outlined Uganda’s strategic advantages for investors, including peace and security, rapid economic growth—ranked 7th among the fastest-growing economies globally according to the IMF—currency stability, and a highly supportive investment environment. She noted that businesses can register through the UGA One Stop Centre in just 24 hours, and private investments yield an average 14% return per annum. Uganda also boasts 19 operational industrial parks, fertile soils, abundant freshwater, and a favorable climate.
Aligned with Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, which aims to expand the economy from USD 61.3 billion to USD 500 billion by 2040, Prime Minister Nabbanja highlighted key sectors for investment. These include agro-industrial development, tourism, mineral-based industries, and pharmaceutical production. She also emphasized the importance of investing in critical enablers such as security, transport, electricity, irrigation, education, healthcare, revenue mobilisation, regional integration, and environmental protection.
With 70% of Uganda’s population under the age of 30, Nabbanja stressed that investment in these strategic sectors would create employment opportunities for youth, supporting both economic growth and social transformation. “Industrial development and investment in these sectors will create jobs for our youth, ensuring sustainable development,” she said.
In a direct invitation to UAE investors, the Prime Minister encouraged them to explore Uganda’s business opportunities and rich cultural heritage. She highlighted Uganda’s natural beauty, including the source of the Nile, as a unique attraction for visitors and investors alike. The event underscores the growing bilateral trade between Uganda and the UAE, currently valued at USD 2.85 billion, with UAE investments totaling USD 3.5 billion across energy, infrastructure, healthcare, agribusiness, oil and gas, manufacturing, real estate, and tourism.
Prime Minister Nabbanja’s message is clear: Uganda is open for business, offering stability, growth, and strategic opportunities for investors ready to partner in driving the country’s transformation and creating jobs for its young population.
