UK investors explore opportunities in Uganda
According to the latest trade and investment factsheet from the British trade, business, innovation, science and trade department, the total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Uganda was £467m (about sh2.5 trillion) in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2026, an increase of 0.2% or £1m in current prices from the four quarters to the end of the first quarter.
L-R: Phillip Nina Mbabazi, Patricia Kabuleeta and Rukaari at the World Coffee Commemorations Day in London, the UK, last week.
Two UK-based business figures are expected to visit Uganda before the end of the year to explore investment opportunities in agriculture, hospitality, trade and tourism, New Vision has learnt.
Former Mbarara City North legislator Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari, said Lord Brett McLean and Sheikh Abid Gulzar have accepted his invitation to assess potential investment opportunities in the country.
Rukaari met the two business figures during a recent visit to the UK seaside resort of Eastbourne.
A UK publication reported that his tour included Eastbourne Pier, Beachy Head and Boship Farm Hotel.
“I am glad that the two have agreed to visit our country before the end of the year to identify the most suitable sectors in which they could invest,” Rukaari said.
He identified trade, hospitality and agriculture among the possible areas of interest, but did not disclose the amount of investment under consideration or the proposed date of the visit.
McLean is involved in business, charitable and community activities in East Sussex.
He was among 490 people selected for the Royal Voluntary Service Platinum Champion Award established as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee celebrations.
Rukaari said he hoped the proposed visit would enable the duo to assess opportunities and establish links with government agencies and Ugandan businesses.
Investment increase
The initiative comes amid efforts to increase investment and trade between Uganda and the UK.
According to the latest trade and investment factsheet from the British trade, business, innovation, science and trade department, the total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Uganda was £467m (about sh2.5 trillion) in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2026, an increase of 0.2% or £1m in current prices from the four quarters to the end of the first quarter.
The factsheet also indicates that at the end of 2024, the stock of foreign direct investment (FDI) from the UK in Uganda was £47m (about sh253b), 95.8% or £23m (about sh124b) higher than the end of 2023.
However, in February, British High Commissioner to Uganda Lisa Chesney said UK-backed investments in the country had surpassed £1.3b (about sh7 trillion), with a further £1b in the pipeline.
The investments covered sectors including agro-industrialisation, renewable energy, manufacturing, digital services and infrastructure. The difference reflects the varying definitions used for direct investment, investment portfolios and pipeline commitments.
UK-Uganda trade
▪️UK-Uganda trade hits sh2.5 trillion, growing by just 0.2%.
▪️UK investment in Uganda nearly doubles to sh254b in 2024.
▪️Uganda accounts for less than 0.1% of the UK’s overseas investment organised by coffee entrepreneur Nelson Tugume in partnership with the Uganda High Commission in London.