Uganda Rolls Out Red Carpet for UAE and Qatar Delegations, Forging Multi-Front Economic Partnerships

The Brief Post October 27, 2025 3 min read

KAMPALA, Uganda – Uganda is set to host a series of high-profile investment forums, underscoring its aggressive push to position itself as a premier investment destination and regional trade hub. The nation is simultaneously deepening economic ties with both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the State of Qatar, with major events scheduled for the coming days.

Uganda-UAE Business Forum Set for Speke Resort

The Uganda Embassy in the UAE has officially welcomed a delegation from the Emirates ahead of the 4th Uganda-UAE Business Forum, scheduled for October 27th to 29th at the Speke Resort Munyonyo. The delegates were received upon arrival by Second Secretary Asha Nabbanja, representing Ambassador Zaake Wanume Kibedi.

The forum will feature high-level discussions, sector-focused panels, field visits, and direct business engagements. It is designed to provide a platform for Ugandan businesses and UAE investors to forge lasting partnerships.

According to Ambassador Kibedi, the Uganda-UAE relationship has seen remarkable growth, with bilateral trade reaching $2.85 billion as of September 2025. Furthermore, Foreign Direct Investments from the UAE to Uganda have skyrocketed from $300 million in 2018 to an impressive $3.5 billion in 2024.

The visiting UAE delegation will embark on “Rapport Tours” to explore key sectors aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040. These include tourism development, energy, oil, gas, mineral resources, infrastructure, innovation and technology, real estate, and agro-industry.

The event is expected to attract top government officials, business executives, investors, and innovators from both countries. Uganda’s Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony, highlighting the government’s reform agenda and commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations.

Parallel Engagements with Qatar Underway

Simultaneously, in Doha, Uganda is advancing its economic diplomacy with Qatar. On the sidelines of the 2nd Uganda-Qatar Business Forum, also held on October 27th, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tybisa, met with H.E. Ahmed Muhammed A. Al-zewaidi, the Ambassador-Designate of the State of Qatar to Uganda, and formally welcomed him to his new role.

In a significant development, PS Tybisa, accompanied by Uganda’s Ambassador to Qatar, H.E. Stephen Chebrot, led an official delegation to the Qatar Mining Company (QMC). The parties held substantive talks on potential joint mining partnerships, focusing on the development of Qatar’s mineral sector. The high-level meeting took place at the QMC Headquarters, signaling a serious intent to collaborate in the extractive industry.

A Strategic Economic Push

These coordinated forums with two of the Middle East’s most influential economies highlight Uganda’s strategic and multi-pronged approach to attracting foreign investment. The government is actively showcasing the country’s readiness for world-class investment ventures across a diverse range of sectors, from agriculture and tourism to the burgeoning oil and gas industry and technological innovation.

The significant growth in trade and investment figures with the UAE, coupled with new exploratory talks with Qatar, paints a picture of a nation successfully integrating itself into global economic networks and forging lasting international partnerships.