Uganda, Qatari Investors Discuss Lubowa Land for Qatar City, Advance Lithium Battery Project

Doha, State of Qatar | 26 July 2026

Uganda’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, today held a high-level meeting with H.E. Mohammed Bin Ahmed Bin Twar Al Khuwari, Chairman of Barzan Mining Company and Vice President of Qatar Chamber, at his Majlis in Doha to review the progress of strategic investment initiatives aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between the Republic of Uganda and the State of Qatar.

Hon. Kasolo was accompanied by Ambassador Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, Uganda’s Special Presidential Envoy to the State of Qatar, Ambassador Muhammad Baswale Kezaala, Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Uganda in Doha, and Mr. Jesse Rubongoya Musinguzi, Personal Assistant to the Minister.

The meeting focused on following up the strategic investment proposals that were previously discussed with H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, including the establishment of the landmark Qatar City Project and a Lithium Battery Manufacturing Plant in Uganda.

Hon. Kasolo conveyed the appreciation of the Government of Uganda for the continued confidence demonstrated by Mr. Bin Twar and his investment group in Uganda’s economy. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to facilitating strategic investments that promote industrialisation, value addition, technology transfer and employment creation, in line with President Museveni’s vision of transforming Uganda into a modern industrial economy.

For his part, Mr. Bin Twar reaffirmed his company’s commitment to implementing the proposed investments and expressed gratitude for the support and encouragement previously extended by President Museveni. He noted that the proposed Qatar City would become a flagship mixed-use development comprising commercial, residential, hospitality and business facilities, designed to strengthen investment and economic cooperation between Uganda and Qatar.

Mr. Bin Twar further reiterated his company’s commitment to establishing a Lithium Battery Manufacturing Plant in Uganda, with the long-term objective of producing advanced lithium batteries for electric vehicles and other modern electronic technologies. He observed that the project would support Uganda’s industrialisation agenda, promote value addition to the country’s mineral resources and position Uganda as a regional hub for clean energy manufacturing.

Lithium is a key mineral used in the production of rechargeable batteries that power electric vehicles, mobile phones, laptops, solar-energy storage systems and other modern electronic technologies. Establishing a lithium battery manufacturing plant in Uganda would therefore support value addition to the country’s mineral resources, reduce dependence on imported batteries and strengthen Uganda’s position in the growing clean-energy and electric-mobility industries.

The meeting also reviewed the practical steps required to operationalise the projects. Mr. Bin Twar indicated that he would formally write to H.E. President Museveni seeking His Excellency’s continued support in implementing the commitments made during their previous meeting, including the allocation of the proposed 30 acres of land in Lubowa for the development of Qatar City and the facilitation of the necessary government processes for the Lithium Battery Manufacturing Project.

Ambassador Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu briefed the meeting on the continued efforts being undertaken under Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Strategy to attract strategic investments from the State of Qatar. He highlighted Uganda’s favourable investment climate, political stability, strategic location within the East African Community, abundant natural resources, and the Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting investors.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their shared determination to transform the longstanding friendship between Uganda and the State of Qatar into a stronger strategic economic partnership through flagship investments capable of creating employment opportunities, facilitating technology transfer, promoting industrialisation and contributing to sustainable economic growth in both countries.

Hon. Kasolo commended Ambassador Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu for his continued efforts in implementing H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Strategy through sustained engagement with senior government officials and leading investors in the State of Qatar. He observed that these initiatives are yielding tangible results by attracting strategic investments that have the potential to accelerate Uganda’s industrial transformation, promote value addition, expand exports and create employment opportunities for Ugandans.

The Minister further noted that the proposed Qatar City and Lithium Battery Manufacturing Plant rank among the most significant strategic investment opportunities currently under discussion between Uganda and Qatari investors. He said the projects demonstrate the growing confidence of Qatar’s private sector in Uganda’s stable political environment, investor-friendly policies and long-term economic potential under the leadership of H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

This engagement formed part of Hon. Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune’s official visit to the State of Qatar, during which he carried the condolence message from H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, following the passing of the Father Amir. In addition to the condolence mission, the visit was utilised to advance Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy agenda by engaging key government officials and leading private sector investors with the objective of promoting trade, investment and strategic partnerships between the two friendly nations.

The meeting with Mr. Bin Twar reflects the Government of Uganda’s commitment to ensuring that high-level diplomatic engagements are translated into concrete economic outcomes that support the country’s industrialisation agenda. It also underscores the growing strategic partnership between Uganda and the State of Qatar, founded on mutual respect, shared prosperity and a common vision of sustainable development.