The Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Mwebesa Francis together with the Permanent Secretary attended the Nigeria – Uganda Business and Investment Forum in Kampala at Hotel Africana from 2nd to 3rd May,2023. Also in attendance at the forum were the Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda Ismail Ayobami Alatise and the Ugandan High Commissioner to Nigeria Nelson Ocheger. The Forum is a catalyst for strengthening Ugandan and Nigerian business relations. The importance of Nigerian entrepreneurs investing in areas of value addition in Uganda is key for strategic partnerships between Nigerian and Ugandan businesses.

Uganda is committed to improving the business environment and we have taken a strategic direction to embrace the liberal trade policy and continue to drive the economy in different spheres such as;
• Computerized land registry
• Quick access to licenses and registration,
• The introduction of electronic single window system
• Under the across borders trade initiatives; establishment of one stop border points, automation of customs procedures, improvement in transit flow through the elimination of existing non-tariff barriers, expansion of market access opportunities through the EAC, COMESA FTA, and now the Tripartite of the three trading blocs of EAC, SADC AND COMESA and the AfCFTA

Uganda therefore, invites serious traders and investors to partner with the Ugandans business community to invest in the following areas;
• Agribusiness, especially focus on value addition, improvement on the storage facilities through construction of warehouses and silos
• Fisheries; Opportunities are available for fish farming and establishment of more fish processing factories on other lakes other than Lake Victoria
• Manufacturing
• Forestry; Uganda possesses abundant potential in areas like timber processing for export, manufacture of high-quality furniture/wood products and various packaging materials
• Energy / renewable energy and Mining
• Oil and gas
• Services (Health, Education, Financial services)