The 4th Uganda – United Arab Emirates (UAE) Business Forum 2025, held from October 27th to 29th at the prestigious Speke Resort Munyonyo, has concluded with a strong emphasis on strengthening trade, investment, and tourism ties between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates.
This high-profile event brought together government leaders, investors, private sector players, and development partners to explore opportunities in key sectors, including tourism, agriculture, energy, real estate, manufacturing, and technology.
Ahead of the main sessions, delegates embarked on sector-based field visits to iconic Ugandan sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kasubi Tombs, the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe, and Gorilla Conservation Coffee.
These visits showcased Uganda’s rich cultural heritage, conservation leadership, and sustainable tourism initiatives, leaving a lasting impression on Emirati investors.
The forum’s theme, “Connecting Uganda to the World,” underscored the country’s potential as a prime destination for business and travel.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) Investments in Uganda
The economic partnership between Uganda and the UAE has seen remarkable growth, with United Arab Emirates (UAE) foreign direct investment (FDI) in Uganda surging from $300 million in 2018 to $3.5 billion in 2024, a more than tenfold increase.
Bilateral trade reached $2.85 billion by September 2025, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) overtaking traditional partners like Kenya and Tanzania to become Uganda’s largest global trade partner.
Key investment areas include infrastructure, renewable energy, agro-industry, and tourism, with the forum serving as a platform to attract further capital.
This influx has bolstered Uganda’s Vision 2040 strategy to position itself as a competitive investment destination and regional trade hub.
Outcomes of Past Forums
Previous editions of the Uganda-UAE Business Forum have laid a solid foundation for this success.
The 2nd Edition in 2023, held at the same venue, resulted in significant outcomes, including the establishment of a Uganda Consulate in Dubai, which boosted exports from $46.5 million in 1997 to $1.4 billion by 2022.
High-level negotiations through Joint Permanent Commissions (JPCs) and Joint Ministerial Commissions (JMCs) led to enhanced commercial and economic diplomacy, with commitments to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
The 3rd Annual Event further solidified these ties, setting the stage for the 7th Uganda-UAE Convention and fostering partnerships in tourism and infrastructure.
These milestones have paved the way for the current forum’s focus on sustainable tourism and investment diversification.
With over $3.5 billion in United Arab Emirates (UAE) foreign direct investment (FDI), the 4th forum highlighted Uganda’s stability and profitability as a tourism and business hub.
High-level panel discussions and Business-to-Business / Government-to-Government meetings focused on leveraging these sectors for mutual prosperity, with tourism emerging as a standout opportunity.
The picturesque settings of Lake Victoria and the innovative conservation efforts at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) were particularly praised by attendees.
Early reactions suggest that sustainable tourism, supported by initiatives like Gorilla Conservation Coffee, is a key driver attracting global attention.
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