The United Arab Emirates has become Uganda’s largest export market, overtaking Kenya, Tanzania, and South Sudan for the first time in 2024. Bilateral trade between the two nations surged to $2.85 billion last year, up from just $600 million in 2018. Uganda’s exports—led by gold and coffee—now total about $1.35 billion, with frequent flights between Kampala and Dubai boosting trade in perishable goods. UAE investments in Uganda have also soared to $3.5 billion, ranking the Gulf nation among Uganda’s top three investors. Strengthened by multiple presidential visits and new bilateral agreements, relations are set to deepen further at the upcoming Uganda–UAE Business Forum in Kampala later this month.
Forbes
