Uganda is set to host the fourth edition of the Uganda–United Arab Emirates (UAE) Business Forum from October 27 to 29, 2025, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
The event, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ugandan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai, is expected to attract top government officials, business executives, investors, and innovators from both Uganda and the UAE.
The forum has become a signature platform for advancing bilateral economic and commercial ties and serves as a key driver of Uganda’s economic diplomacy. This year’s edition builds on the momentum of previous forums held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Kampala, and aims to further deepen trade, investment, and innovation cooperation between the two nations.
Over the course of three days, participants will engage in high-level discussions, sector-focused panels, field visits, and direct business engagements.
Areas of focus will include commercial agriculture, agro-industrialisation, tourism, oil and gas, renewable energy, infrastructure development, innovation, and real estate. These sectors align with Uganda’s Vision 2040, as the country seeks to position itself as a competitive investment destination and regional trade hub.
Uganda’s Prime Minister is expected to deliver the keynote address at the official opening ceremony, outlining the government’s economic reform agenda and commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the UAE.
The forum will also feature an economic outlook presentation by Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, who will highlight Uganda’s investment climate, macroeconomic stability, and growth prospects.
The event will conclude with a closing ceremony presided over by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Gen. Jeje Odongo, marking another milestone in Uganda’s proactive engagement with international partners to attract foreign direct investment.
Delegations from across the UAE—including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah Chambers of Commerce and Industry—are expected to attend, signalling the deepening commercial relationship between the two countries.
Speaking ahead of the event, Uganda’s Ambassador to the UAE, Zaake Wanume Kibedi, welcomed the forum’s return to Kampala and urged both Ugandan businesses and UAE investors to take full advantage of the platform.
“The relationship between the UAE and Uganda has grown steadily over the past seven years. Hosting this edition in Kampala reflects our shared commitment to move beyond dialogue toward tangible partnerships. I encourage Ugandan businesses and UAE investors to register, attend, and convert discussions into long-term ventures,” said Ambassador Kibedi.
Mrs. Margaret Kafeero, Head of the Public Diplomacy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasised that the forum acts as a bridge between policy and enterprise.
“This forum offers more than economic opportunity; it is a channel for cultural and technological exchange. It symbolises our commitment to building partnerships rooted in trust, innovation, and shared prosperity,” she noted.
The forum will feature government-to-government, government-to-business, and business-to-business engagements designed to foster policy dialogue, collaboration, and market expansion.
Field visits will give delegates firsthand insight into Uganda’s industrial zones and priority sectors, showcasing the country’s capacity to host sustainable, large-scale investment projects.
As Uganda prepares to welcome its UAE partners, the 2025 edition of the Uganda–UAE Business Forum highlights the growing alignment between diplomacy and enterprise, and the country’s resolve to leverage international cooperation for economic transformation.
