President Museveni has called for stronger economic cooperation between Uganda and Italy, with discussions focusing on coffee development, trade, investment, infrastructure and skills development.
Museveni made the remarks during a meeting with Italy’s Ambassador to Uganda, Mauro Massoni, at State House, where the envoy briefed him on ongoing and planned areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The President welcomed efforts to expand collaboration with Italian companies and thanked Massoni for the update on bilateral engagements.
Massoni told Museveni that an Italian delegation is expected to visit Uganda to explore areas for increased economic cooperation. The delegation will be led by the Secretary General of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is expected to include officials from Italy’s development and export finance sector, as well as traders and business leaders.
The delegation will meet Ugandan counterparts to discuss potential trade and investment opportunities.
Coffee development was among the key issues discussed, with Massoni briefing Museveni on plans for a project aimed at supporting Uganda’s coffee industry and smallholder farmers.
The Italian delegation is also expected to take part in preparations for the groundbreaking of a Coffee House at Kyambogo University.
The two countries are further preparing for the Uganda Business Forum, which is scheduled to take place in Rome in October. The forum is expected to bring together Ugandan and Italian businesses to explore new commercial partnerships.
“This forum will bring together Ugandan and Italian businesses and provide an opportunity to explore new trade and investment partnerships,” Massoni said.
Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives is expected to participate in the forum.
The meeting also covered infrastructure and investment opportunities, including the Tororo Cement project.
Museveni expressed interest in initiatives aimed at improving Uganda’s regional transport and trade links, particularly connections to the railway network towards Tanzania.
In the health and skills development sector, Massoni informed the President that doctors from Lubowa Hospital are currently undertaking training in Italy.
The discussions point to growing efforts by Uganda and Italy to expand economic and technical cooperation, with particular emphasis on investment, trade, coffee development, infrastructure and skills transfer.
