Ugandans have been urged to seize trade and investment opportunities in United Arab Emirates as Uganda seeks to deepen trade and investment ties with the United Arab Emirates as the two countries prepare for the 5th Edition of the UAE–Uganda Business Forum, scheduled for October 26 to 29, 2026 in Dubai.
Addressing the media in Kampala Uganda’s Ambassador to the UAE, Zaake Kibedi, said the forum will focus on turning the growing bilateral relationship into concrete investments, export deals and partnerships between businesses from the two countries.
“The forum will be held across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah and is expected to bring together senior government officials, business leaders, investors, financial institutions, chambers of commerce and other stakeholders,”he stated.
Kibedi noted that the forum comes at a critical time when UAE has become an increasingly important partner for Uganda in trade, investment, tourism, infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, energy and other sectors.
Kibedi however said Uganda will use the forum to move beyond dialogue and generate concrete business transactions, investment commitments, partnerships and market-access opportunities.
He said the forum will focus on agriculture and agro-processing, trade and exports, investment, mining and minerals, tourism, infrastructure, energy, logistics and air cargo, manufacturing, financial services and technology.
According to Ambassador Henry Mayiga trade between Uganda and United Arab Emirates has reached US$4.7 billion in 2025 up from US$2.7 billion in 2024 and about US$600 million in 2018.
UAE became the global leading market destination for Ugandan products since October 2025 and Investment flows increased to US$3.5 billion in 2025, compared with US$300 million in 2018.
He further said that UAE has become a second home for over 150,000 Ugandans as of 2025 from about 50,000 in 2018.
Mayiga noted the growing trade value between Uganda and the UAE, which reached $4.7 billion as of last October, emphasizing the importance of Ugandan participation in the event.
He noted that relocating the business forum from Uganda to the UAE aligns with the government’s ambitious goal of reaching a $500 billion GDP by 2040.
In Conclusion Kibedi urged Ugandan businesses and exporters to take advantage of the forum to establish commercial relationships and gain access to the UAE market.
“We are particularly keen to see increased participation by the private sector,” he said.
Kibedi said the success of the forum should be judged by the business outcomes generated rather than simply the number of meetings held.
“The success of this Forum will ultimately be measured not only by the number of meetings held, but by the contracts signed, investments secured, exports generated, partnerships established and jobs created,” he said.
He said Uganda’s diplomatic mission in the UAE will continue to provide market intelligence, facilitate business matchmaking and support Ugandan companies seeking international markets.
“Our Mission continues to identify opportunities, undertake market intelligence, facilitate business matchmaking and support Ugandan enterprises seeking access to international markets,” he said.
Kibedi also called on government agencies, financial institutions, investors and the private sector to participate in the four-day forum.
“We call upon Ugandan businesses, investors, exporters, financial institutions, government agencies and other stakeholders to actively participate in this important initiative,” he said.
