Uganda, Norway Hold High-Level Talks to Deepen Economic Cooperation and Regional Partnership

Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Affairs), Hon. John Mulimba, held bilateral consultations with Norway’s Minister for International Development, Mr. Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, in talks aimed at deepening cooperation between Uganda and Norway.

Mulimba, who is responsible for Uganda’s regional diplomacy and engagement with multilateral bodies including the East African Community and the African Union, led the Ugandan delegation in discussions that focused on economic partnership, regional peace and security, development cooperation, and multilateral relations.

During the consultations, the minister acknowledged Norway’s longstanding support to Uganda’s national development priorities, particularly in education, renewable energy, governance, and women’s empowerment. Norway has been a key European development partner to Uganda, supporting humanitarian programs and climate-related initiatives.

Despite the strong diplomatic relationship, officials noted that bilateral trade between the two countries remains limited. In 2024, Uganda exported goods worth approximately $1 million to Norway while importing about $6 million, highlighting significant untapped potential for commercial expansion.

Mr. Aukrust commended Uganda for maintaining one of the world’s most progressive refugee-hosting policies and for its continued role in regional peace-building efforts, especially in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa regions. Uganda hosts over 1.5 million refugees, primarily from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other neighboring states.

The two sides agreed to convene a Uganda–Norway Trade and Investment Summit in 2027, a move aimed at attracting increased Norwegian private-sector investment, strengthening business-to-business linkages, and boosting two-way trade.

Officials described the planned summit as a strategic step toward diversifying Uganda’s foreign investment sources, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure, fisheries, oil and gas services, and technology transfer — sectors in which Norwegian companies have significant global expertise.

The consultations highlight Kampala’s broader diplomatic effort to translate development partnerships into sustainable economic cooperation, while reinforcing collaboration on peace, humanitarian response, and multilateral engagement.

Mulimba pledged Uganda’s commitment to working closely with Norway to advance shared priorities of stability, sustainable development, and mutually beneficial trade relations.