The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) is actively courting investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), highlighting lucrative opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and trade.
This initiative comes after a delegation from the UAE, led by Ashah Nabbanja, the First Secretary at the Ugandan Embassy in the UAE, was hosted by the UIA on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
Rita Nabateregga, the Deputy Director for Investment Promotion at UIA, noted that the Authority’s investment promotion strategy aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV. This plan, she pointed out, places a strong emphasis on industrialisation through value addition and job creation.
Nabateregga stressed the significance of agriculture, which currently employs over 60% of Ugandans. “Agriculture remains our top priority sector, employing over 60% of Ugandans, with significant potential in value addition across key crops like coffee, cocoa, and tea, as well as in fisheries and livestock,” Nabateregga said.
To facilitate investment, Nabateregga assured the investors that the UIA offers attractive incentives, including free land in designated industrial parks (subject to availability).
Furthermore, she revealed that the Authority operates a One-Stop Centre designed to streamline business processes. This centre, she explained, provides a consolidated service for registration, licensing, and permits, aiming to save investors time and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
Nabateregga encouraged potential investors from the UAE to engage with the UIA from the initial stages of their investment journey to ensure access to accurate information and proper guidance. She also highlighted the critical role of partnerships, advising that collaborating with established local companies can effectively mitigate risks and accelerate success for new ventures.
Uganda: Best Investment Destination
It is important to note that Uganda was named as the Best Investment Destination for the UAE in Africa at the Annual Investment Meeting in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in May last year. The Meeting highlighted that the UAE has invested over US$2 billion in Uganda in the last two years.
This also comes at a time when Uganda secured a US$4 billion oil refinery deal with a UAE company, Alpha MBM, and is currently in talks with the government of Qatar in a bid to promote tourism. By courting investors from the UAE, therefore, the UIA is not only looking to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation but also positioning the country as a strategic trade partner with Gulf states.