A week-long trade mission between Uganda and Tanzania has officially begun in Kampala, with leaders from both nations expressing optimism about strengthening economic partnerships. The initiative, themed “Building Stronger Trade Partnerships for Long-Term Prosperity,” is being spearheaded by the Uganda High Commission in Dar es Salaam.
Senior officials and business delegates from both countries gathered in the Ugandan capital to discuss ways to increase trade for mutual economic benefit.
Speaking at the opening of the mission, Sarah Kagingo, Vice Chairperson of Uganda’s Private Sector Foundation (PSFU), welcomed the Tanzanian delegation. She recalled the PSFU’s role as the leading private sector body in Uganda, highlighting its upcoming 30th anniversary in 2025. “PSFU has served as a focal point for private sector advocacy as well as capacity building and continues to sustain a positive policy dialogue with Government on behalf of the private sector,”1 she said. Ms Kagingo praised the Uganda High Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for organising the mission, which aims to encourage Tanzanian investment in Uganda, particularly in sectors such as agro-processing, construction materials, steel, dairy, pharmaceuticals, and fast-moving consumer goods. “This trade mission is a testament to the enduring friendship and shared vision between Uganda and Tanzania,” she added.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Col (rtd) Fred Mwesigye, expressed his gratitude and noted the significant growth in trade between the two East African neighbours in recent years. “In 2024, bilateral trade reached approximately USD 2.23 billion, a sharp increase from USD 1.36 billion in 2023, reflecting a positive trade trajectory,” he said. However, he also highlighted a trade imbalance. “Uganda’s exports to Tanzania stood at USD 185 million, while imports from Tanzania reached USD 2.0 billion, highlighting not only the growing interdependence between our economies but also the trade imbalance that needs to be addressed,” Amb Mwesigye added. He commended the Ugandan government for its support in trade facilitation and urged attendees to “seize the opportunity to drive our trade agenda forward and deepen economic ties.”
State Minister for Trade Gen. Wilson Mbadi said the gathering marked an important step in strengthening commercial and investment links. He highlighted Uganda’s industrial and entrepreneurial landscape, mentioning opportunities in industrial parks like Liaoshen and Namanve, as well as in the dairy sector with companies like Pearl Dairy.
“Uganda proudly showcases its dynamic industrial and entrepreneurial ecosystem, with companies like Liaoshen Industrial Park, Pearl Dairy, Namanve Industrial Park, and many more offering joint ventures, supply chain partnerships, and market integration opportunities,” he said.
Mbadi also highlighted infrastructure projects such as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). “We also celebrate transformative projects like the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which will unlock over USD 20 billion in revenue, create 10,000+ jobs, and boost sectors like energy, logistics, and telecommunications,” he remarked, adding, “Uganda remains committed to building a conducive business environment, focused on reducing transaction costs and expanding market access.”
Speaking on behalf of the Tanzanian High Commissioner to Uganda, Mr Masunga Biteko stressed the deep friendship and shared vision for prosperity between the two nations. He said the mission’s primary goal was to explore and unlock the vast potential in bilateral trade and forge partnerships to drive economic growth in both countries. “The sole purpose of the Trade Mission was to explore and unlock the vast potential within the bilateral trade relationship between Uganda and Tanzania and forge partnerships that create opportunities that will drive economic growth and development in both Tanzania and Uganda,” Mr Biteko said.
He encouraged the use of Air Tanzania for transport and the MV Umoja and MV KAZI NDA for freight. “Mr. Biteko encouraged his fellow Tanzanians and the Ugandan hosts to continue using the Air Tanzania Company Limited service for both passenger and freight transportation and the MV Umoja, KAZI NDA, to transport goods between the two nations.”
The trade mission, which runs until the end of the week, will include business-to-business sessions and visits to industrial parks in Kapeeka and Namanve.
