4th Uganda–UAE Business Forum Kicks Off in Kampala, Aims to Boost Trade and Investment
Kampala, Uganda
Kampala today Tuesday 27.October 2025 welcomed the opening of the 4th Uganda–UAE Business Forum, a three-day gathering bringing together government officials, business leaders and investors from Uganda and the United Arab Emirates to explore new trade, investment and innovation partnerships. The forum — running from 27–29 October 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo — is expected to deepen bilateral commercial links and highlight opportunities across energy, infrastructure, agribusiness and tourism.
Organisers say the forum provides a strategic platform for private-sector deals, with delegations from UAE emirates and Ugandan ministries scheduled to hold sectoral roundtables and B2B meetings. The official media advisory invited local and international press to cover the event and reported that panels will focus on investment facilitation, trade logistics, and joint ventures aimed at job creation and technology transfer.
Speaking at the opening session, forum representatives highlighted that this is the fourth edition of the forum, signalling sustained interest from UAE investors following earlier editions held in both Uganda and UAE cities. The event organisers pointed to a broader push by both countries to diversify trading relationships and accelerate private-sector led growth. Attendees include senior government officials, UAE business delegations, regional investors and representatives of financial institutions.
The forum arrives at a time when Uganda is seeking new sources of foreign direct investment to finance infrastructure and industrialisation ambitions. Panel discussions are expected to address barriers to investment such as regulatory predictability, land and property issues, and logistics bottlenecks — with investors seeking concrete steps that would make joint projects more bankable. Organisers also flagged a showcase of Ugandan export-ready goods and opportunities for UAE investment in green energy and agro-processing.
Business leaders attending the forum told The Urban Gazette that they were particularly interested in partnerships that could reduce export costs and improve access to Gulf markets. Several private-sector matchmaking events scheduled across the three days aim to create immediate project pipelines, while parallel sessions will highlight SME support and financing mechanisms. The forum website also hosts a registration portal for participants and media.
What to watch for during the forum
Announcements of bilateral MoUs or investment commitments in energy, agribusiness, logistics and tourism.
New private-sector led projects or financing arrangements for SMEs and exporters.
Statements from UAE delegations on market access and cooperation frameworks.
Background: The Uganda–UAE Business Forum was established to deepen commercial ties between the two countries and has alternated venues between the UAE and Uganda. The 2025 edition is being hosted in Kampala with the stated aim of translating dialogues into concrete investments.
