Uganda and the United Arab Emirates are preparing for another major push to expand commercial ties, with the 5th UAE–Uganda Business Forum scheduled for October 2026.

The four-day engagement is expected to take place from October 26 to 29, 2026, with activities planned across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah.

The forum will bring together Ugandan and UAE government officials, investors, exporters, financial institutions, business executives and other private-sector players as the two countries seek to turn growing economic relations into more trade deals, investments and commercial partnerships.

Rather than focusing only on high-level discussions, the forum is expected to place emphasis on practical business opportunities, including investment commitments, export deals, partnerships and ventures capable of generating employment.

Several sectors are expected to dominate discussions during the forum.

These include agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, mining and mineral development, energy, infrastructure, tourism, logistics and air cargo, financial services, technology, trade and exports.

For Uganda, the meeting provides an opportunity to present its investment opportunities and locally produced goods directly to UAE investors, buyers and potential strategic partners.

The focus on value addition could also give Ugandan producers an opportunity to explore wider markets beyond the traditional export of raw commodities.

The UAE has already become a significant economic partner for Uganda. During the Fourth Uganda–UAE Business Forum in Kampala in October 2025, Ugandan officials reported that bilateral trade had reached about US$2.85 billion by September 2025, while UAE investment in Uganda was estimated at approximately US$3.5 billion.

The growth in UAE investment represents a major change in the economic relationship between the two countries.

Uganda's Embassy in Abu Dhabi says UAE investment had reached about US$3.5 billion by 2024, with investments spread across areas such as infrastructure, construction, transport, energy, manufacturing, real estate and hospitality.

Uganda is also positioning itself as a destination for investment in sectors linked to industrialisation, natural resources and infrastructure development.

At the 2025 business forum, Ugandan officials highlighted opportunities in areas including energy, infrastructure, agribusiness, oil and gas, manufacturing, real estate and tourism.

The continued engagement with UAE investors therefore gives Uganda an avenue to attract capital while seeking technology, expertise and access to international markets.

Trade is another major component of the relationship.

Uganda's exports to the UAE have included gold and other precious metals, coffee, agricultural products and other commodities. Uganda Radio Network reported in October 2025 that precious metals dominated Uganda's exports to the UAE, while coffee and other agricultural products were also important export lines.

The challenge for Ugandan businesses will be to expand the range of products entering the UAE market and increase the amount of value created before export.

This makes agro-processing, manufacturing and mineral value addition particularly relevant to the 2026 forum.

Beyond investment announcements, the forum is expected to provide Ugandan companies with direct access to potential UAE buyers, investors and business partners.

Business-to-business meetings, market intelligence and networking could be particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises looking to understand the requirements of the UAE market.

Uganda's investment authorities have previously identified the UAE as an increasingly important source of capital and commercial partnerships, particularly in sectors such as energy, oil and gas, renewables and agro-industry.

The country's diplomatic missions in the UAE are also expected to play a role in connecting Ugandan businesses with commercial opportunities in the Gulf.

The economic relationship is also supported by a sizeable Ugandan community in the UAE.

Uganda's Embassy in Abu Dhabi estimates that about 160,000 Ugandans live and work in the UAE, highlighting the depth of the people-to-people and economic connections between the two countries.

Improved air connectivity has further supported movement between Uganda and the UAE, helping facilitate tourism, business travel and commercial relationships.

The upcoming UAE–Uganda Business Forum comes at a time when both countries are seeking to deepen an economic relationship that has expanded considerably in recent years.

For Uganda, the priority will be converting investor interest into actual projects, expanding exports and helping domestic businesses enter the UAE and wider Gulf markets.

For UAE investors and buyers, the forum offers an opportunity to explore Uganda's agricultural potential, natural resources, infrastructure needs, tourism opportunities and emerging industrial sectors.

If the discussions translate into firm agreements and investments, the 2026 forum could become another important step in expanding bilateral trade and creating opportunities for businesses in both countries.

With the two governments already placing greater emphasis on commercial diplomacy, the success of the fifth edition will ultimately be measured not only by the number of delegates attending, but by the deals signed, investments committed, products entering new markets and jobs created.