Prime Minister of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja has delivered a keynote address to a gathering of government officials, diplomats, academics, policymakers and scholars from the UAE and Africa at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, Abu Dhabi.
The Prime Minister, who is in the United Arab Emirates to attend the third UAE- Uganda Business Forum this week in Abu Dhabi and in Dubai, delivered the address at the invitation of Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan.
She said that Africa has immense potential across various sectors, powered by its young demographic with a sizeable portion of its population under 25.
“This young workforce can drive innovation and entrepreneurship, creating new markets and industries.”
Nabbanja also said that Africa is also a continent of abundant natural resources, including precious minerals and renewable energy sources such as solar and hydro and possesses vast arable land which can be a key driver of food security and economic development.
Looking back at the relationship between Uganda and the UAE, she emphasized that it has been anchored on economic and commercial diplomacy serving as the rationale for the opening of the Uganda Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 2009 and later, the Uganda Consulate in Dubai in 2022.
“The UAE is now one of the leading investors in Uganda having made FDI to the tune of US$ 3 Billion across a spectrum of sectors particularly energy, infrastructure, health care, agri-business, oil and gas, manufacturing, construction, real estate, and tourism,” she said.
In a meeting with Al Nahyan, Nabbanja underscored the strong bonds of friendship that exist between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates have been built on a foundation of mutual respect, shared interests, and a commitment to peace and prosperity.
The close relations are best exemplified by President Museveni’s three visits to UAE in the past four years.
She thanked the UAE for hosting the 150,000 strong Uganda diaspora community stating that it is further evidence of the close ties Uganda enjoys with the UAE and its hospitality.
Sheikh Shakhboot praised the Ugandan Community in Abu Dhabi, stating that in addition to being hardworking and trustworthy, they are incredibly peaceful and friendly, ideals that are espoused by the UAE.
Nabbanja also held a separate meeting with Rashed Alblooshi, Under- Secretary, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.
They discussed extensively areas of economic cooperation and possible foreign direct investment in the agricultural, mineral and aviation sectors.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation, John Mulimba, who informed Alblooshi that the United Arab Emirates is the number one market for Uganda’s exports in the Middle East, and welcomed Foreign Direct Investment from the UAE whose companies have so far invested US$ 3 Billion in Uganda.
Mulimba thanked the UAE Government for granting permission for Uganda Airlines to launch direct flights to Abu Dhabi and accordingly proposed for Uganda Airlines to enter into a code share agreement with Etihad Airways where Uganda Airlines with its excellent air links in Africa can act as a feeder to Etihad Airways which has a vast international network.
In this regard, Mulimba further requested for the resumption of Etihad Airways flights to Entebbe which were suspended in 2017 due to low demand, a demographic which has since changed with approximately 30,000 Ugandans now living and working in Abu Dhabi alone.
The Prime Minister was accompanied to her meetings by Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to the United Arab Emirates Zaake Kibedi, Representative of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Santa Mary Laker-Kinyera, and Head of Public Diplomacy.
The Uganda-UAE Business Forum, organized by the Ugandan Embassy and Consulate, aims to attract foreign investment, promote Uganda’s exports, and mobilize the Ugandan diaspora for development.
This year’s forum, themed “Unlocking New Horizons: UAE-Uganda Partnership for Economic Prosperity,” will take place from October 28 to 31, 2024, in both cities.
