UK Strengthens Trade Partnership with Uganda

Ugandan businesses and workers stand to benefit from new partnerships as a major UK business delegation arrives in Kampala this week. Invited by the Rt. Honourable Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, during her visit to the UK in October 2025, the Westminster Africa Business Association (WABA) and the South Asian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) bring 25 leading companies from across the ATMS sectors - agro-industrialisation, tourism development, mineral-based industrial development, and science, technology and innovation, as well as manufacturing, renewable energy, digital services, infrastructure and professional services. These firms are seeking joint ventures with Ugandan enterprises.

The Rt. Hon Robinah Nabbanja, who welcomed the trade delegation to Uganda on Tuesday, has facilitated the visit by organising meetings with key government and private sector stakeholders. Her commitment to advancing Uganda's international commercial partnerships has been central to making this visit possible and to signaling Uganda's readiness for deeper, long-term investment.

The Hon Robinah Nabbanja said:

Thank you for choosing to visit Uganda, for your interest in our growing market and for the engagement. These engagements must be well coordinated and outcome-driven so we can effectively showcase Uganda's investment opportunities and match investors with credible Ugandan enterprises ready for partnership. I am confident that this visit will >further strengthen our commercial ties with partners in the United Kingdom.

Working closely with H.E. Nimisha Madhvani, the Ugandan and British High Commissions have jointly convened the UK and Indian delegations to deepen commercial links and support market-opening efforts.

On 18 February, the British Chamber of Commerce Uganda (BCCU) hosted a reception to help the delegations better understand the Ugandan market and connect with local businesses.

Welcoming the group, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Lisa Chesney MBE, highlighted the importance of the visit:

This delegation is a testament to the momentum building across Uganda's economy. British and Indian companies bring complementary strengths, deep expertise, and a shared appetite for opportunity. With a portfolio of investments through UKEF, BII, PIDG, and others already surpassing £1.3 billion, with an additional £1 billion in the pipeline, the UK is powering the ATMS and the tenfold growth strategy through long-term, high->quality investment.

She encouraged more investment directly into productive sectors:

What we - the UK, and our colleagues in the Government of Uganda -want to see is British, Indian, and other companies looking beyond government deals and infrastructure contracts toward business-to-business opportunities in Uganda's economy. Private sector investment is what will drive tenfold growth, and the potential is >enormous.

The delegations' programme in Uganda includes business-to-business engagements, site visits, and policy roundtables designed to deepen commercial understanding, identify market gaps, partnerships, and support future joint ventures. Key areas of focus include green manufacturing, agro-processing, solar technologies, logistics, and skills development.

This approach aligns with the UK government's Plan for Change and Africa Approach, which prioritises economic growth through partnership with businesses and catalysing private investment in productive sectors.

The visit supports Uganda's Agro-Industrialisation, Tourism, Mining and Minerals and Science , Technology and innovation priorities and its ambition for tenfold economic growth.

Further information:

The UK investment portfolio through UKEF, BII, PIDG and other investments now exceeds £1.2 billion, with an additional £1 billion in the pipeline. These include a recently signed £34 million Gridworks partnership with UETCL, the first independently financed power transmission project in Africa, as well as £130.5 million in financing enabling Nexus Green to deploy 430 solar-powered irrigation systems nationwide, boosting climate-resilient agriculture.

The British Chamber of Commerce Uganda (BCCU) aims to strengthen UK-Uganda trade and investment, acting as a collective voice to influence trade policy, reduce barriers to trade, and support UK businesses of all sizes through networking, advocacy, and business support services. Launched in 2024 with backing from the British High Commission, the BCCU serves as a catalyst for economic growth by connecting businesses, facilitating trade promotion activities, and leveraging the UK private sector's significant investment and expertise in Uganda. It currently has 58 member companies spanning 17 sectors, representing over 22,000 jobs in the Ugandan economy.

The Westminster Africa Business Association (WABA) is an independent organisation dedicated to strengthening UK-Africa trade, investment, and sustainable development. Established to enhance high-level dialogue, business networking, and political engagement between the UK and Africa, WABA connects business leaders, policymakers, and investors through strategic initiatives and advocacy.

The South Asian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) is a regional trade body promoting international trade, investment and economic cooperation between South Asia and global markets. They offer trade facilitation, investment promotion, business diplomacy, and institutional engagement. In Uganda, they hope to facilitate high-level trade, investment and government engagement between South Asian businesses and Uganda.