Uganda–UAE Business Forum Returns Amid $2.85B Trade Boom

Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), H.E. Zaake W. Kibedi, has announced that Kampala will host the Fourth Edition of the Uganda–UAE Business Forum from October 27th to 29th, 2025, describing it as a “momentous platform” to deepen trade, investment, and innovation between the two countries.

“We are back in Kampala for the momentous Fourth Edition of the UAE–Uganda Business Forum,” Amb. Kibedi told journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Friday morning.

The Forum is an annual event jointly organized by the Uganda Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Uganda Consulate General in Dubai, and the UAE Embassy in Kampala, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department for Economic Development, Abu Dhabi Chamber, Dubai Chambers, and Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Trade and Investment Growth

Ambassador Kibedi highlighted that economic relations between Uganda and the UAE have reached “unprecedented levels.”

“Foreign Direct Investments from the UAE to Uganda have grown from US$300 million in 2018 to US$3.5 billion in 2024,” he revealed.

Trade between the two nations has also surged, with the UAE emerging as Uganda’s leading export destination globally. As of September 2025, bilateral trade is valued at US$2.85 billion.

The envoy attributed this growth partly to enhanced connectivity, citing six daily flights between Uganda and the UAE as a major facilitator of business and tourism.

Forum Focus Areas

The three-day event will spotlight key sectors including agriculture, tourism, energy, minerals, real estate, innovation, and manufacturing.

According to Ambassador Kibedi, the programme will feature:

• Day One: Field visits to key investment sites.

• Day Two: Official opening ceremony and high-level panel discussions.

• Day Three: Plenary and partnership sessions focusing on business-to-business (B2B), business-to-government (B2G), and government-to-government (G2G) engagements.

He noted that the Forum aims to:

• Strengthen bilateral partnerships for investment, trade, tourism, and innovation.

• Facilitate networking among business leaders, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.

• Discuss opportunities and challenges in doing business between Uganda and the UAE.

• Showcase innovative products, services, and business models.

• Influence policy dialogue and create an enabling environment for business growth.

Strengthening Diplomatic Ties

Amb. Kibedi underscored that Uganda–UAE relations have evolved into a “dynamic and multifaceted partnership underpinned by strategic economic, diplomatic, and infrastructural collaborations.”

He recalled key milestones, including President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s visit to the UAE in January 2025 and the return visit by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, in May 2025, which led to the signing of six memoranda of understanding (MoUs).

The agreements cover investment protection, works and transport, diplomatic training, capacity building, joint development, digital transformation, and energy cooperation.

Amb. Kibedi also praised the UAE for its openness and hospitality, noting that the number of Ugandans living and working there has grown from 40,000 in 2018 to over 160,000 in 2024.