Uganda and Italy are exploring new areas of cooperation, including major programmes targeting coffee production, waste management and strategic infrastructure, as the two countries seek to deepen their bilateral relationship.

The discussions took place when Finance Minister Henry Musasizi met Italy’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Mauro Massoni, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The meeting focused on strengthening development cooperation and identifying opportunities for increased Italian investment in Uganda.

Musasizi thanked the Government and people of Italy for their longstanding partnership with Uganda, highlighting Italy’s contribution to sectors including health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, climate resilience and environmental sustainability.

The Minister said Uganda’s development partnerships should remain aligned with the country’s national priorities while delivering quality projects, value for money and measurable socio-economic benefits.

During the meeting, Ambassador Massoni outlined Italy’s development cooperation portfolio in Uganda and presented several potential interventions.

Among them is a proposed €120 million programme for Uganda’s coffee sector, with a focus on supporting the industry and promoting value addition.

The proposed investment is expected to contribute to Uganda’s agro-industrialisation agenda by helping strengthen the coffee value chain and increasing the economic benefits generated from the sector.

Italy also presented a proposed €70 million programme for waste management, which would support Uganda’s efforts to improve sustainable urban development and environmental management.

Together, the two proposed programmes have a potential value of €190 million.

The discussions also highlighted development assistance provided by Italy through Italian non-governmental organisations and other cooperation partners.

Much of this support has focused on Uganda’s health sector, including specialised training and capacity building for health professionals, maternal and child healthcare, cancer treatment and care, medical research and the strengthening of health services.

Italian-supported interventions have also targeted vulnerable communities.

Uganda and Italy also discussed opportunities for greater Italian participation in major infrastructure projects.

The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) was among the strategic projects discussed as the Ugandan Government continues efforts to mobilise long-term financing and development partnerships.

The railway is part of Uganda’s broader plans to improve trade, regional connectivity and economic growth through strategic infrastructure investment.

The meeting ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening Uganda–Italy relations, progressing proposed projects and identifying additional opportunities in trade, investment and development cooperation.