Mbadi invites UK investors into Uganda’s agro-industrialisation programme

Uganda has renewed its pitch to British companies to tap into its vast agricultural sector, highlighting opportunities to grow both local supply chains and international exports.

The appeal was delivered on August 27, 2025, by Gen. Wilson Mbadi Mbasu, Minister of State for Trade in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, during the UK-Uganda Agro-Industrialisation Forum at the Kampala Serena Hotel.

Running under the theme Unlocking Uganda's Agricultural Potential: Opportunities for UK-Uganda Collaboration, the meeting underscores the partnership between the UK and Uganda in driving economic growth.

Loui Arinaitwe, country director from the department of business and trade at the British High Commission, said that given agriculture’s significant contribution to GDP and 70% contribution to job creation, the sector’s importance would be a key focus of the forum.

In her opening remarks, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney, said the meeting would include sessions on how to do business with the UK. She noted that Nexus Green, a UK company, has already supported Ugandan farmers with irrigation technologies. (Courtesy Photo)

He explained that the discussions would centre on harnessing Uganda’s natural resources and linking them with technology, working with both the private sector and governments from Uganda and the UK.

“The aim is to increase the value and volume of products, but also increase the value we get from them. We shall look at how to work together to industrialise agriculture in Uganda and increase trade between both countries,” Arinaitwe said.

In her opening remarks, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney, said the meeting would include sessions on how to do business with the UK. She noted that Nexus Green, a UK company, has already supported Ugandan farmers with irrigation technologies.

The forum is also discussing UK export finance, barriers to trade between the two countries, and the UK’s long-term interest in ensuring zero barriers to trade.

Making the case for investment in agriculture, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama described the engagement as timely.

He noted that Uganda is currently implementing the National Development Plan IV (NDPIV), within which the Agro-Industrialisation Programme aims to transform and increase wealth for Ugandans.

UPDF's Operation Wealth Creation representatives were also in attendance.

“The emphasis of the programme is enhancing agricultural production and productivity, promoting value addition as well as industrialisation, and facilitating access to regional and international markets. Through these forums, we hope to see more investors,” Kasura said.

He also highlighted ongoing initiatives in the sector, including the establishment of regional agro-industrial parks and zonal processing hubs to anchor industrialisation to production, strengthening quality standards, certification, and branding to enable access to premium markets, and expanding affordable financing through the Agriculture Credit Facility under the Bank of Uganda.

Uganda’s exports to the UK

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture shows that Uganda’s top exports to the UK include coffee, tea, spices, edible vegetables, and mineral fuels, as well as fish, dairy products, and flowers.

In 2023, Uganda's exports to the UK were valued at US$21.3 million, up from US$10.7 million in 2019.

During the same period, the UK exported US$71.51 million worth of goods to Uganda. Key exports included vehicles, power-generating machinery, medicinal and pharmaceutical products, and general industrial machinery.