By: Ismael Kasooha

OSAKA

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has appealed to the Japanese to come and invest in Uganda due to the favourable and conducive investment climate in the country.

Nabbanja made the call on Wednesday while presiding over the Uganda National Day organized by the Ugandan Embassy in Japan in Conjunction with the Government of Japan.

The Uganda National Day took place at the Ugandan Pavilion in Osaka at the climax of the Osaka 2025 expo.

Ugandan Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja (left) exchanging gifts with His Excellency Yoshitaka Ito the Japanese Minister in charge of expos during the National Day celebrations in Osaka Japan

The Uganda National day was characterized by traditional dances from all the regions of Uganda performed by Uganda’s Ndere Troupe in Osaka.

This comes at a time when Uganda celebrated the 63rd Independence day.

Nabbanja said that Uganda and Japan enjoy a long-standing friendship built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared vision for sustainable development.

“Our participation in this Expo is guided by the sub-theme, ‘Empowering Lives’, reflecting our commitment to improving the quality of life for all Ugandans, particularly the young people, who make up 70% of Uganda’s population. Over the years, Japan has been a steadfast partner in our development journey – supporting initiatives in infrastructure, energy, refugee response, health, and climate resilience,” said Nabbanja.

She said the fact that several Japanese businesses were operating in Uganda reaffirms our nation’s position as a key investment destination in Africa.

Nabbanja told the Japanese business community that Uganda was strategically positioned in Africa with a high potential for business.

“Uganda’s central location in Africa makes it a key trade and logistics hub linking three major regional markets — the EAC, with a market size of USD 313 billion, COMESA, with a market size of USD 1.13 trillion, and the African Continental Free Trade Area, with a market size of USD 3.4 trillion,” she said.

The Premier said that the Ugandan shilling was one of the most stable currencies in Africa and Uganda had investor-friendly Policies such as tax and non-tax incentives to investors.

“The high Return on Investment on average returns on private investment stand at 14%, significantly higher than the 5.2% average in Europe by 2022,” said Nabbanja.

On Industrial Parks, Nabbanja informed the investors that Uganda had already established 18 Industrial Parks and was in the process of setting up additional ones for investors to establish factories.

Gen. Mbasu Mbadi the State Minister for Trade sharing a light moment with the Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah the Prime Minister of Uganda during the inspection of the Ugandan pavilion in Osaka

The State Minister for Trade Gen. Mbasu Mbadi said that Uganda had show-cased opportunities available in the country that could be utilized by investors especially on value addition in both mineral and agricultural produce.

“We have shown to the Japanese that Uganda has an investment potential that can be exploited,” said Mbadi.

The Japanese Central Government Minister in charge of overseeing the expo, His Excellence Yoshitaka Ito, who spoke through an interpreter, assured the gathering that Japan would continue to collaborate with Uganda for mutual benefit.

Hez Kimoomi Alinda, the Executive Director Uganda Free-Zoned Authority said that Uganda was set to reap big from the Osaka Expo.

Andrew Matovu of the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development and marketing was optimistic that Uganda Japanese had been introduced to the products that could be exported from Uganda.

The Prime Minister visited different pavilions including that of Japan, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Kenya and Mozambique among others.

The Premier further engaged the different countries on how they could collaborate with Uganda

Ugandan Ambassador to Japan Her Excellency Tophus Kaahwa drumming with the Ndere Troupe during the National Day celebrations in Osaka Japan

Osaka Expo 2025, which opened in April and would conclude on 13th October 2025, was being held under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”

Uganda’s Pavilion, situated in Commons A, had received visitors since the start of the Expo.

The Expo highlighted the country’s transformation agenda, with a focus on industrialization, exports, and investment, while offering insights into its cultural diversity and tourism potential.

Uganda’s Ambassador to Japan Her Excellency Tophus Kaahwa accompanied the Prime Minister during all activities of the day.

End