Kampala to host 4th Uganda-UAE Business Forum

KAMPALA - Kampala is set to host the Fourth Edition of the Uganda–UAE Business Forum from 27th to 29th October 2025.

Uganda's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Zaake W. Kibedi, says that the forum offers a platform to boost trade, investment and innovation between the two countries.

Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Friday, he explained that the Forum is “an annual event organised by the Uganda Embassy – Abu Dhabi and the Uganda Consulate General – Dubai, in collaboration with the UAE Embassy in Kampala, Abu Dhabi Department for Economic Development, Abu Dhabi Chamber, Dubai Chambers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala."

Focus areas of discussion during the three-day forum (October 27th - 29th) will spotlight key sectors, namely: agriculture, tourism, energy, minerals, real estate, innovation, and manufacturing.

The Forum will also include field visits.

A release from the foreign afairs ministry states that Kibedi listed the Forum’s objectives as:

•  strengthening bilateral partnerships for investment, trade, tourism and innovation

•  facilitating networking among business leaders, investors, policy makers and entrepreneurs

•  discussing opportunities and challenges of doing business between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates
 
•  showcasing innovative products, services and business models.

•  influencing policy dialogue and creating an enabling environment for business

During the press conference,  Kibedi also highlighted that economic relations between Uganda and the UAE have reached unprecedented levels.

"Foreign Direct Investments from the UAE to Uganda have grown from US $300 million in 2018 to US $3.5 billion in 2024,” he revealed.

“Trade between both countries has significantly increased, with the UAE emerging as Uganda’s leading export destination globally. Trade between both countries is valued at US $2.85 billion as of September 2025.”

The Ambassador added that improved connectivity has also been key to this growth.“The connectivity has been enhanced by the six daily flights between Uganda and the UAE,” he said.

According to Kibedi, the Uganda–UAE partnership is “a dynamic and multifaceted relationship underpinned by strategic economic, diplomatic, and infrastructural collaborations.

In May 2025, the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister  Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Uganda, leading to the signing of six memoranda of understanding (MOUs) across various sectors, including protection of investment, works and transport, diplomatic training and capacity building, joint development agreement, digital transformation and energy.”

Describing the Uganda–UAE relationship as a robust and evolving partnership characterised by mutual respect, Kibedi revealed that the number of Ugandans living and working in the UAE has increased from 40,000 in 2018 to over 160,000 in 2024.