By John Okello Lapok
President Yoweri Museveni has re-affirmed the government commitment to ensuring that Uganda attains accelerated growth, from the current GDP of USD 61 billion to USD 500 billion, in the shortest possible time.
Museveni said that as the NRM government, they have been able to create a conducive investment environment, in Uganda by ensuring peace and stability, across the country. “This is fundamental, because without peace and stability, individuals, families and companies, cannot produce goods and services,” he said.
He made the remarks in a speech delivered for him by the Vice President Jessica Alupo during the opening the annual Uganda International Buyers Week, under the theme, “Meet, Connect , Trade” at Speke Resort Munyonyo today, November 26, 2025.
He added that as government they have also prioritised investment in infrastructure development, while maintaining a private sector friendly policy framework.
“Our exporters are already delivering strong outcomes in key commodities, including coffee, dairy, gold and avocado,” the President said. Uganda’s exports in the first half of 2025 totalled USD 5.23 billion. Coffee exports have seen significant recent growth and strong earnings, reflecting Uganda’s position as a leading African coffee supplier.
In the same vein, the dairy sector has also expanded rapidly, with national milk production reaching around 5.4 billion litres by the end of 2024.
The President further revealed that new markets have opened for processed dairy in Algeria and Nigeria. He said the above numbers demonstrate growth and also underscore the need for diversification and value addition. “They affirm the need to add value, move up the value chain and stabilise export earnings,” he said.
Museveni highlighted that the Presidential Exports Advisory Team has been conducting key awareness initiatives in foreign markets for Uganda food products, establishing trade locations and raising the standard of performance for food and service exporters.
He said the NRM government has stopped the export of raw materials. “We have invested in the construction of industrial hubs for processing and value addition,” Museveni said.
For more emphasis, the President has invited international partners to invest in processing plants, cold chains, packaging facilities and other export infrastructure.
“We are strengthening sanitary and phytosanitary systems to ensure compliance with international market requirements,” he said. He assured Ugandans that the Entebbe Free Zone’s Centre of Excellence will streamline the export process for fresh produce through AI-enhanced inspections, digital traceability and shared infrastructure. It will also provide training, certification and value-addition services to enhance quality and competitiveness. The Fountain of Honour further noted that Uganda is actively expanding trade representation and hubs in target markets to facilitate buyer-seller linkages and logistics.
He urged the international buyers attending the Uganda International Buyers Week to consider Ugandan suppliers to deliver their orders. “I urge our exporters to strive to meet the international standards and packaging for success,”.
He assured the investors that Uganda is open for partnerships. The main focus of this week which is running from November 25-28, is to consolidate the efforts aimed at turning interest into actual orders; and orders into enduring partnerships, that can result in jobs and incomes for our people.
It is also an opportunity to highlight Uganda’s strategic advantage as a gateway to East and Central Africa.
Uganda boasts of a young and educated workforce, the potential for year-round agricultural production, improved infrastructure and economic and political stability. According to President Museveni, what we need right now are: capital, entrepreneurship and knowledge, in order to translate the existing potential into jobs and incomes.
State Minister for Trade Wilson Mbasu Mbadi heightened Uganda’s vision for international trade saying it has always been unequivocal. “We seek to broaden and deepen our markets for our products and services, strengthen our competitiveness, and position our country as a regional trade hub,” he said.
Mbadi said trade is central to our national development aspirations in that it has been elevated to a central pillar of Uganda’s economic transformation within the NDP IV.
The Plan identifies trade as a key driver of export-led growth, industrialisation, job creation, and increased household incomes.
The minister said that under NDP IV, Uganda’s strategic focus is to: expand non-traditional exports; reduce the trade deficit through value addition; deepen regional market penetration; strengthen standards, certification, and compliance with SPS measures; enhance trade facilitation and logistics efficiency.
Mbadi said closely aligned to NDP IV is the 10-Fold Growth Strategy, where trade plays a catalytic role. He said the Strategy calls for a tenfold expansion in export volumes and value, particularly in priority sectors such as agro-industrialisation, manufacturing, tourism, and science and innovation under the anonym ATMS as conceived by his Excellency the President.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area is therefore one of our biggest opportunities to meet our trade development agenda. With a market of over 1.4 billion people and a GDP of 3.4 trillion dollars, AfCFTA provides Uganda,” he said.
PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo said the International Buyers Week, an initiative part of government efforts to directly link Ugandan exporters to global demand and strengthen long-term trade relationships.
“It further aims to connect local producers with global markets, showcase the country’s coffee and agricultural products, and provide buyers with an up-close look at Uganda’s offerings,” he said.
It will also highlight challenges related to meeting export standards and boosting domestic consumption Rwabwogo said.
