A high-powered delegation of investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has concluded a strategic investment mission in Uganda focused on unlocking opportunities in the country’s agriculture and agro-industrial sectors.
The week-long visit, which took place from June 26 to July 3, 2025, brought together executives from ten UAE-based private companies and demonstrated growing interest in Uganda’s agri-value chain potential.
The mission was coordinated by the Uganda Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Uganda Consulate in Dubai and was fully aligned with Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which emphasizes agriculture-led industrialization and export development.
During the visit, the UAE delegation toured several major agro-industrial enterprises across Uganda.
Their itinerary included Maganjo Grain Millers, the Namanve Tree Seed Centre, the National Union of Coffee Agribusinesses and Farm Enterprises (NUCAFE), Masubi Farm’s avocado oil facility, and Kakira Sugar Limited.
These visits provided the investors with first-hand exposure to Uganda’s agricultural production systems, processing facilities, and export readiness, especially in commodities such as coffee, grains, sugar, and edible oils.
In discussions held with Ugandan government agencies and private stakeholders, the UAE delegation expressed strong interest in investing in large-scale agricultural infrastructure.
Agro-industrial parks
Key focus areas included the development of agro-industrial parks, investment in modern irrigation systems, improvements in agricultural logistics, and collaboration with farmer cooperatives and local agro-processors to scale production and export capacity.
The Uganda Investment Authority and the Uganda Free Zones Authority actively participated in these meetings, working with the delegation to identify priority projects and establish frameworks for future investment.
Both parties agreed on the need for clear investment pathways and mutual benefits, with an emphasis on sustainable practices and local value creation.
Uganda’s government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating a supportive and transparent environment for foreign direct investment in agriculture.
Officials from the Ugandan side emphasized that partnerships like this align closely with national efforts to transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, supported by international capital, innovation, and technology.
Net food importer
The UAE, which imports more than 80 percent of its food, continues to seek long-term agricultural partnerships abroad as part of its food security strategy.
Uganda, with its favorable climate, fertile land, and strategic location in East Africa, has emerged as a promising partner in this context.
Although no formal investment agreements were announced during the mission, both sides indicated their intention to continue with follow-up engagements.
These are expected to include technical feasibility studies and project-specific proposals in the months ahead.
This concluded mission marks a key step in strengthening economic relations between Uganda and the UAE.
If successfully translated into concrete projects, these discussions could lead to a wave of transformative investment in Uganda’s agriculture sector. Such investment could play a significant role in boosting export revenues, creating employment, and enhancing regional food systems.
As Uganda continues to position itself as a regional hub for agro-industrial growth, collaborations of this nature will be instrumental in realizing long-term development goals.
The success of this initiative will depend on ensuring that future investments are inclusive, well-regulated, and aligned with both national priorities and community interests.
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