Namibia’s new leader keen to strengthen trade with Uganda

Barely a day after her historic swearing-in as Namibia’s first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah held one of her first post-inauguration business meetings—with Ugandan businessman Hamis Kiggundu and Honorary Consul of Namibia to Uganda, Godfrey Kirumira.

The meeting, which took place on Sunday, March 23, reaffirmed Uganda’s proactive approach to engaging Namibia’s new leadership on economic cooperation.

Namibia’s new leader has expressed strong interest in working with Kiggundu, the CEO of Ham Group of Companies, particularly in agro-processing and sports infrastructure development, ventures set to play a key role in strengthening business ties between the two nations.

Businessman Hamis Kiggundu with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during Sunday's meeting. Courtesy Photo

Their discussions built on an initial encounter in Uganda last year when Nandi-Ndaitwah, then Namibia’s vice president, led her country’s delegation to the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Kampala. During that visit, she toured the newly refurbished Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, and was impressed by Kiggundu’s role in delivering a world-class sports facility. That experience sparked her interest in having a similar project in Namibia.

Following their discussions in Kampala, she hosted Kiggundu and Kirumira for business talks in Namibia, further strengthening economic ties. She later invited them to her swearing-in ceremony, a high-profile event attended by several African heads of state.

Now, as Namibia’s new leader, she is keen to explore deeper partnerships with Uganda, particularly in agro-processing—an area where Kiggundu’s Ham Agro-Processing Industries is already making significant strides in transforming agricultural produce into value-added exports.

Speaking before Sunday’s meeting, Kiggundu reiterated his commitment to expanding Uganda’s agro-processed exports to Namibia and the wider Southern African region.

"We want to open the market for our agro-processed products from Uganda to all the Southern African nations," he said.

As Namibia embarks on a new era under Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership, Uganda has positioned itself at the forefront of fostering economic collaboration.