Minister of State for Privatisation and Investment, Hon. Evelyn Anite, is set to head a delegation of Ugandan business leaders for the 14th UK-Uganda Trade and Investment Summit in London, United Kingdom.

The annual event scheduled for Friday, September 6, 2024, at the Mayfair hotel is under the theme; Accelerating growth through partnerships for global market expansion.

The summit aims to foster economic collaboration between East African and British businesses according to Willy Mutenza, the convention chairman.

This year’s event is geared towards expanding investments, boost exports, and engage target markets in key sectors such as ICT, finance, real estate, tourism, energy and agriculture. It will also focus on infrastructure, manufacturing, renewable energy, and health.

Anite's leadership at the summit underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing investor confidence and promoting Uganda as a secure and attractive investment destination.

Established in 2010, the UK-Uganda Trade Summit has become a pivotal event for promoting economic empowerment and sustainable development across East Africa.

Anite, a staunch supporter of the summit since it’s inception says, she will address potential investors on numerous investment opportunities in Uganda.

She will also engage in various sessions and panels to attract significant foreign direct investment and forge sustainable partnerships between Ugandan and UK businesses.

Investing in Uganda offers a blend of high growth potential, strategic advantages, and supportive government policies, according to Anite.

This makes it an attractive destination for investors looking to capitalise on emerging opportunities thanks to the robust economic growth, averaging around 6% annually over the past decade. The growth is mainly driven by agriculture and manufacturing.

Add to that Uganda’s strategic location in East Africa, bordering Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo which are lucrative regional markets. The country is also rich in natural resources, including arable soils, minerals, and significant oil and gas reserves. The agriculture sector offers opportunities in crop production, livestock, and agro-processing.

Relatedly, Mutenza calls upon investors to maximize the growing consumer market, driven by a population exceeding 45 million and a youthful demographic which creates demand in consumer goods and real estate.

He says, the government also offers tax holidays, duty-free import of plant and machinery, and free zones for export-oriented industries.

Also, Infrastructure development projects, including road networks, electricity, ICT, the Standard Gauge Railway, and the expansion of Entebbe International Airport, are improving connectivity and reducing logistical costs.

“Uganda's political stability and commitment to a conducive business environment have also attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),” he says adding; “The emerging oil and gas sector, particularly the development of the Albertine region and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), is expected to spur economic growth and create investment opportunities.”

Additionally, Uganda's diverse wildlife, national parks, and cultural heritage sites present significant potential for tourism investment in eco-tourism, hospitality, and related services.

Meanwhile, the summit is supported by Lord Popat, the UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC, the Department of International Trade (DIT), the Ugandan government, the East African Business Summit, the India Overseas Trust (IOT), and other organizations.