Uganda and Azerbaijan have agreed to deepen diplomatic and economic ties, with investment, education, and cooperation deals expected to follow Oryem’s visit to Baku.
Uganda has stepped up diplomatic engagement with Azerbaijan after the State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of International Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello, travelled to Baku on April 3, 2026 as a special envoy of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Oryem held talks with Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Samir Sharifov, and delivered a formal invitation from Museveni to President Ilham Aliyev to attend Uganda’s presidential inauguration set for May 12, 2026. He also handed over a second message urging Azerbaijani investors to explore opportunities in Uganda’s key sectors. These include agriculture, tourism, minerals, science and technology, and oil and gas.
Both sides praised the strong ties between the two countries, which marked 30 years of diplomatic relations in 2025. They agreed that the existing political goodwill should now translate into stronger economic cooperation.
The officials discussed plans to fast-track agreements such as a Bilateral Investment Treaty and a deal to avoid double taxation. They said these steps would help ease trade and attract more investment between the two countries.
During the visit, officials from both countries also held their third round of political consultations. They reviewed progress since the last meeting in August 2025 and welcomed the recent implementation of a visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and official passports, which took effect on April 1, 2026.
Uganda and Azerbaijan agreed to work together in sectors such as agriculture, energy, ICT, tourism, minerals, and oil and gas. Azerbaijan said it will send a joint government and private sector business delegation to Uganda later in 2026, with dates to be agreed through diplomatic channels.
Azerbaijan also pledged to increase scholarships for Ugandan students and offer training opportunities for Ugandan diplomats. Both countries further committed to supporting each other in international platforms, including the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Uganda and Azerbaijan are rapidly strengthening bilateral ties, focusing on economic, defense, and diplomatic cooperation as of early 2026. Key initiatives include a visa waiver for diplomatic passports, planned investments in agriculture and energy, and robust collaboration within the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and United Nations
Uganda and Azerbaijan are rapidly strengthening bilateral ties, focusing on economic, defense, and diplomatic cooperation as of early 2026. Key initiatives include a visa waiver for diplomatic passports, planned investments in agriculture and energy, and robust collaboration within the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and United Nations
Key Areas of Cooperation and Relations:
The two countries are deepening relations through regular political consultations, as evidenced by high-level talks held in April 2026. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political and Diplomatic Consultations was signed in January 2024 to formalize this collaboration.
As of April 1, 2026, a visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and official passports is in effect, aimed at easing government-level engagements and fostering closer cooperation.
Both countries have focused on enhancing economic cooperation, including potential investments in agriculture, energy, ICT, tourism, minerals, and oil and gas.
High-level defense delegations have met to explore joint ventures regarding maintenance and repair of military equipment and technology transfer, specifically involving Uganda’s National Enterprise Corporation (NEC).
Azerbaijan has committed to increasing scholarships for Ugandan students and providing training for diplomats.
As active participants in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the two countries support each other in international forums. Uganda recently assumed the NAM chairmanship from Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan plans to send a joint government and private sector business delegation to Uganda later in 2026 to further explore these partnership opportunities
