South Koreans to invest in Uganda

In a bid to boost investment and facilitate trade, the Uganda Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurs League Confederation has signed a partnership with South Korean investors.

The deal was signed last week during the Africa-South Korea Business Forum 2026 held at Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi, Kampala, under the theme Strengthening Africa- Korea Private Sector Partnerships for Industrialisation, Trade and Innovation. The event, organised in partnership with the Korea International Trade Association, aims to promote technology transfer, investment and industrial co-operation between Uganda and South Korea with key sectors like agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development, and science, technology, and innovation. Speaking during the forum, Kalim Kalamagi, the president of the Uganda Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurs League Confederation, said the meeting provided a platform for Ugandan businesses to explore opportunities in South Korea’s advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.

This partnership opens the door to the world of possibilities for our private sector to explore and strike business deals that will transform into real returns for our economy. We are looking at commercial agriculture, agro-processing, and mineral value addition,” he said. The honorary consulate of the Republic of Uganda in Busan (republic of Korea), Dr Kim Jimbo, described the pact as an opportunity for the private sector to promote industrialisation and foster skills transfer.

“A joint investment facilitation committee shall be established to identify fl agship projects, coordinate feasibility studies, facilitate regulatory approvals and monitor implementation progress,” he revealed.

According to the Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives, the delegation includes investors interested in electric railway systems, commercial agriculture, agro-processing and mineral value addition.

The engagements aim to create jobs, introduce new technologies and strengthen Uganda’s industrial capacity. Emmanuel Atwine, the senior commercial offi cer at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, said the delegation is also exploring opportunities in cocoa and coffee value chains, alongside plans to support modernisation of Uganda’s railway network through technology partnerships.

“They want to invest in sectors that promote job creation and technology transfer. We want to see new technologies brought into the country across these sectors,” he said. Atwine said Ugandan business leaders are expected to travel to South Korea at a later date to explore skills development and investment opportunities, with the aim of strengthening long-term cooperation. “We are looking at strong partnerships that will promote technology transfer and build the economy of the country,” he said.