By: Ismael Kasooha
DUBAI
The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has appealed to investors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Consider Uganda as their investment destination for better prospects in the region and Africa in general.
“I would like to recognize the strong bonds of friendship that exist between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates. Our relationship has been built on a foundation of mutual respect, shared interests, and a commitment to peace and prosperity. Indeed, the very close bilateral relationship is best exemplified by the fact that His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda has visited the UAE three times in the past four years alone,” noted Nabbanja.
The Premier was addressing the UAE – Uganda business forum in Abu Dhabi where she represented President Yoweri Museveni. She commended the hospitality of the UAE that has become home to 150,000 Ugandans working in the United Arab Emirates.
She said that the relationship between Uganda and the UAE has been anchored on economic and commercial diplomacy and this indeed served as the rationale for the opening of the Uganda Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 2009 and later on, the Uganda Consulate General in Dubai in 2022.
“Am indeed proud to inform you that in 2023, Uganda exported goods worth US$ 2 Billion to the UAE and imported goods worth US$ 1.4 Billion, making the UAE Uganda’s leading export destination in the Middle East,” the Premier observed.
Nabbanja said that the UAE is also one of the leading sources of Foreign Direct Investment in Uganda where UAE companies have so far made investments worth US $ 3 Billion especially in energy, infrastructure, health care, agri-business, oil and gas, manufacturing, construction, real estate, and tourism.
“I would like to take this moment to acknowledge with appreciation, the incredible offer by the Government of Sharjah to build an international airport adjacent to the beautiful Kidepo National Park in North-Eastern Uganda, along with 15 five-star hotels on the periphery. Indeed, the completion of this immense project will allow tourists to directly fly to this park to partake of its attractions instead of taking the long journey by road,” she said.
However, Nabbanja said that there are still more potential business opportunities both countries can leverage on.
Nabbanja saluted Ambassador Zaake Wanume Kibedi, the Ambassador of Uganda to the United Arab Emirates who conceived the first Uganda – UAE Business Forum in 2022 when the world was just emerging from the very challenging COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a good idea for the benefit of both countries and more especially the business fraternity and I also salute you and your team for the tireless efforts to grow the relationship between Uganda and the UAE,” explained Nabbanja.
She encouraged the business fraternity to think about how their businesses can evolve and lead with agility.
Nabbanja said that she was impressed to learn about the suggestion that was originated by the Abu Dhabi Department for Economic Development to annually alternate this Business Forum between Uganda and the UAE.
“Indeed, the first edition was held here in the UAE in 2022, the second in Kampala, Uganda in 2023 and here we are today back in the UAE.
I therefore take this opportunity to invite you all in advance for the 4th Edition of the Uganda – UAE Business Forum that will be held in Kampala in October 2025, inshallah,” she said.
The Prime Minister is accompanied by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST) Dr. Ramathan Goobi and the managing Director of NSSF Patrick Ayota who also enumerated why Uganda is the best investment destination.
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