(Dubai) – Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja arrived in the United Arab Emirates to officially open the 3rd Uganda-UAE Business Forum on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni. This annual event, organized by the Uganda Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Uganda Consulate General in Dubai, runs from October 28 to October 31, 2024, under the theme “Unlocking New Horizons for Economic Prosperity.”
The forum serves as a platform to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), promote Uganda’s exports to the UAE, boost tourism, encourage technology transfer, project Uganda positively, and engage the Ugandan diaspora in development efforts. The first part of the forum, conducted by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce, concluded on October 30, 2024, at the St. Regis Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The second segment, organized by the Uganda Embassy and Consulate, will take place on October 31, 2024, at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Dubai.
During her visit, Nabbanja addressed a diverse audience of government officials, diplomats, academics, policymakers, and scholars from the UAE and Africa at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi. Invited by UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Nabbanja discussed Africa’s economic potential, emphasizing the continent’s young and dynamic workforce, rich natural resources, and vast arable land, which she noted could drive food security and development.
Nabbanja also underscored Uganda and the UAE’s longstanding relationship, which began with the opening of the Uganda Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 2009 and later the Consulate in Dubai in 2022. She highlighted that UAE investments in Uganda have reached $3 billion, covering sectors such as energy, infrastructure, healthcare, agribusiness, oil and gas, manufacturing, construction, real estate, and tourism.
Table: Key Points of Uganda-UAE Business Forum
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 3rd Uganda-UAE Business Forum |
| Dates | October 28 – 31, 2024 |
| Theme | “Unlocking New Horizons for Economic Prosperity” |
| Prime Minister’s Role | Officially opened forum on behalf of President Museveni |
| Investment | UAE FDI in Uganda estimated at $3 billion |
In addition to the forum, Nabbanja met with Rashed Alblooshi, the Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, where they explored potential economic cooperation and investment opportunities in agriculture, minerals, and aviation. John Mulimba, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation, also participated in the discussions, emphasizing that the UAE is Uganda’s largest Middle Eastern export market, and encouraged further UAE investment.
Nabbanja’s delegation included the Ambassador of Uganda to the UAE, Zaake Kibedi, Ambassador Santa Mary Laker-Kinyera, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Head of Public Diplomacy.
