PM Nabbanja Pushes for Investment and Cooperation in Key UAE Address

Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, delivered a keynote address on Tuesday at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi, addressing a gathering of government officials, diplomats, academics, policymakers, and scholars from the UAE and Africa.

The Prime Minister, in the UAE for the 3rd UAE-Uganda Business Forum this week, spoke at the invitation of Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

During her speech, the PM highlighted Africa’s immense potential, driven by a young demographic, with a significant portion of its population under 25. She emphasized the continent’s rich natural resources, including minerals, solar, hydro, and vast arable land, positioning Africa as a future hub for food security, innovation, and economic development.

“This young workforce,” she noted, “can drive innovation and entrepreneurship, creating new markets and industries.”

The Uganda-UAE Business Forum is an annual event organized by the Uganda Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Uganda Consulate General in Dubai. It promotes foreign investment, Uganda’s exports, tourism, technology transfers, and mobilizes the Ugandan diaspora.

Reflecting on the Uganda-UAE relationship, the Prime Minister noted the significance of economic and commercial diplomacy, citing the establishment of Uganda’s Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 2009 and the Consulate in Dubai in 2022.

“The UAE is one of Uganda’s top investors, with foreign direct investment (FDI) amounting to US$3 billion in sectors such as energy, healthcare, agribusiness, manufacturing, and tourism,” she added.

In a prior bilateral meeting, Nabbanja and Al Nahyan discussed the strong ties between Uganda and the UAE, highlighting mutual respect and shared interests. The Prime Minister also thanked the UAE for hosting a 150,000-strong Ugandan diaspora community, a testament to the close ties between the nations. Sheikh Shakhboot praised the Ugandan community, recognizing their hard work, trustworthiness, and peaceful nature, qualities embraced by the UAE.

Nabbanja held a separate meeting with H.E. Rashed Alblooshi, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, where they explored potential economic partnerships and FDI in agriculture, minerals, and aviation.

Accompanying her, Hon. John Mulimba, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for Regional Cooperation, emphasized the UAE’s role as Uganda’s largest export market in the Middle East.

Mulimba also proposed a codeshare agreement between Uganda Airlines and Etihad Airways, noting that resuming Etihad’s flights to Entebbe would serve the growing Ugandan population in Abu Dhabi, now estimated at 30,000.

The Prime Minister was joined by H.E. Zaake Kibedi, Uganda’s Ambassador to the UAE, Amb. Santa Mary Laker-Kinyera, and Margaret Kafeero, Foreign Ministry’s Head of Public Diplomacy.