By Ambrose Gahene
Ugandan entrepreneurs and exporters of Agro- processed products are expected to make huge profits from the forthcoming 5th Edition of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-Uganda Business Forum, slated to take place from 26th to 29th October 2026.
The revelation was made by Ambassador Kibedi Zaake, while addressing journalists at the Uganda media centre on Tuesday.
Amb. Kibedi said the business forum will strengthen the economic and commercial relations between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates.
“This year’s edition will bring together senior government officials, business leaders, investors, financial institutions, chambers of commerce and other key stakeholders from both countries”, he said.
He added that; the Forum will be hosted across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah, providing an opportunity to showcase Uganda’s investment and export potential while connecting Ugandan enterprises with UAE-based investors, buyers and strategic partners.
“The 5th Edition comes at a particularly important time in our bilateral relations. The UAE has become an increasingly important partner for Uganda in trade, investment, tourism, infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, energy and other sectors”, he added.
Amb. Kibedi pointed out that; Uganda is set to benefit from this business forum to move beyond dialogue and generate concrete business transactions, investment commitments, partnerships and market-access opportunities.
He pointed out key areas to benefit Uganda to include;agriculture and agro-processing, trade and exports, investment, mining and minerals, tourism, infrastructure, energy, logistics and air cargo, manufacturing, financial services and technology.
“A major objective of the Forum is to promote Uganda as a competitive investment and business destination and to connect Ugandan producers and exporters to the highly dynamic UAE and wider Gulf markets”, he pointed out.
Asked by a journalist if Uganda will send media representatives to cover the business forum, Amb. Kibedi said the decision will be discussed with stakeholders in the organizing of the business forum, who he said include;
the Ministries of Information Technology and National Guidance, Foreign Affairs, Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and Uganda Chamber of Commerce among others.
“I shall present the idea of including a handful of Ugandan Journalists at the Business Forum and shall communicate back to you about the decision reached at”, he said.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,the Forum will also provide a platform for strengthening economic and commercial diplomacy, through which Ugandan Mission continues to identify opportunities, undertake market intelligence, facilitate business matchmaking and support Ugandan enterprises seeking access to international markets.
“We are particularly keen to see increased participation by the private sector”
“The success of this Forum will ultimately be measured not only by the number of meetings held, but by the contracts signed, investments secured, exports generated, partnerships established and jobs created as a result of the engagements”, reads the statement in part.
Amb. Kibedi called upon Ugandan businesses, investors, exporters, financial institutions, government agencies and other stakeholders to actively participate in this important initiative and take advantage of the opportunities available in the UAE market.
“The UAE–Uganda relationship is built on strong and growing ties, and we believe that the 5th Edition of the Business Forum will further elevate these relations from cooperation to greater trade, investment and shared prosperity”, adds the statement.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement,UAE become the global leading market destination for Ugandan products since October 2025.
“The trade between Uganda and UAE was valued at US$ 4.7B in 2025 from $2.7B in 2024 and $600m in 2018”
“Foreign direct investment from the UAE to Uganda has increased from $300m in 2018 to $3.5B in 2025”, further states the statement.
The statement further states that;the UAE has become a second home for over 150,000 Ugandans as of 2025, from about 50,000 in 2018.