President Yoweri Museveni urged investors attending the East African Trade and Investment Forum (EATIF) to consider Uganda as a secure and profitable investment destination. The president’s message was delivered by Vice President Jessica Alupo on January 16, emphasizing Uganda’s stability and robust economic growth rate, averaging 6.2 percent over the past 37 years.
Museveni highlighted Uganda’s strategic location, providing access to the regional markets of the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market of East and Southern Africa (Comesa), and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with over 55 member states. He emphasized the potential of AfCFTA, creating a market of 1.4 billion consumers and increasing trade among Africans by about 33 percent.
Uganda was presented as a liberal economy with open trade policies and a favorable investment regime across all sectors. The country allows free movement of exports and imports, capital, and unrestricted transfer of dividends. Museveni noted that agribusinesses, in particular, offer high returns on investment, averaging about 14 percent.
The EATIF, running from January 15 to 18, aims to attract investors with deals worth at least Shs378 billion. Over 100 investors from countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Morocco, and India are participating in the forum. Museveni assured investors of Uganda’s stable economic growth, with GDP per capita rising to $1,100.
Finance Minister Matia Kasaija emphasized Uganda’s efforts to improve the investment climate, including tax streamlining, good governance, and a conducive business environment. The forum also provided a platform for various government agencies to showcase Uganda’s investment potential in mineral, energy, tourism, trade, and transport sectors.
Incentives such as free land, serviced industrial parks, cheap electricity, tax holidays, and a robust transport network were presented to investors. Museveni concluded by pledging the government’s commitment to honor the commitments made at the EAC Trade and Investment Forum, continuing to support its deliberations.
