Museveni Advocates for Enhanced Economic Integration to Boost Africa's Global Trade Role

President Yoweri Museveni has called for stronger continental economic integration to drive shared prosperity and expand Africa's role in global trade. On February 23, 2026, he hosted a high-level UK–India–Uganda trade delegation at State House, Entebbe.

The delegation included representatives from the Westminster Africa Business Association, led by CEO Laurence Robertson, and the South Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by Chairman Mahendrasinh Jadeja. British High Commissioner Lisa Chesney also attended.

Museveni highlighted Uganda's strategic position as a gateway to regional and continental markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He noted that Uganda provides access to approximately 50 million domestic consumers, 300 million people in East Africa, 600 million within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and a continental market exceeding 1.5 billion people.

He emphasized the importance of linking producers to consumers through infrastructure development, peace, skills training, and access to affordable finance. Museveni described Africa as the "next big business centre of the world," citing the continent's growing population and improving health outcomes as vast economic opportunities.

The President urged the expansion of public-private partnerships in infrastructure and manufacturing. Key investment priorities include manufacturing supported by affordable electricity, low-cost financing through the Uganda Development Bank, and improved transport systems, including regional railway connectivity and oil pipeline infrastructure. He stated that Uganda possesses abundant raw materials but seeks capital, technology, and knowledge partnerships to promote value addition and industrial production.

The UK delegation praised Uganda's long-standing peace and stability and reaffirmed strong bilateral relations. The United Kingdom has invested more than £1.3 billion in Uganda, with an additional £1 billion planned under the Ambition for Ten-fold Growth Strategy, which supports agricultural exports, power transmission projects, and solar-powered irrigation systems. The British Chamber of Commerce Uganda, now including 59 member companies across 17 sectors employing over 21,000 Ugandans, was highlighted as a key platform for trade promotion.

The South Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation expressed readiness to facilitate joint ventures in manufacturing and agro-processing, pharmaceutical production, renewable energy and ICT, logistics and tourism infrastructure, and youth skills development. The parties agreed to develop a formal tripartite framework to accelerate trade and investment cooperation. The delegation, which spent a week in Uganda, also held meetings with the Prime Minister, officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and sector leaders.