Uganda and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, with increased investment, technology transfer, industrialisation and private-sector participation taking centre stage in ongoing government-to-government negotiations.

The discussions are aimed at aligning the longstanding partnership between the two countries with Uganda’s economic transformation agenda, particularly the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and the Tenfold Growth Strategy, which targets expanding Uganda’s economy to US$500 billion by 2040.

Opening the Uganda–Germany Government-to-Government Negotiations, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Dr Ramathan Ggoobi, called for deeper economic cooperation that delivers tangible benefits to both countries.

Dr Ggoobi emphasised the need for Germany to increase investment in Uganda, facilitate technology transfer, support industrial development and strengthen skills development and enterprise growth.

He identified Uganda’s four priority economic sectors, collectively known as ATMS, as key areas for enhanced cooperation. These include Agro-Industrialisation, Tourism Development, Mineral Development, and Science, Technology and Innovation.

He said the partnership should go beyond conventional development cooperation and translate into increased production, value addition, export growth, employment opportunities and improved livelihoods for Ugandans.

The Permanent Secretary welcomed Germany’s proposed interventions in water security, particularly the River Enyau investment, improved electricity access in the West Nile sub-region, climate-resilient agribusiness and local economic development.

He also highlighted the importance of the SCALE programme in Northern Uganda, which focuses on supporting local economic development.

On refugee management, Dr Ggoobi called for more predictable international financing and equitable burden-sharing among development partners, noting that Uganda was hosting approximately 2.05 million refugees and asylum-seekers as of September 2026.

He stressed that supporting refugee-hosting communities requires sustained international cooperation, particularly as the humanitarian responsibilities place growing pressure on national resources and public services.

The Head of the German Delegation, Mr Joachim Schmitt, who also heads the Central and East Africa Division at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Uganda.

Schmitt said the partnership would continue to be guided by mutual accountability, measurable development outcomes and increased participation of the private sector.

He commended Uganda for its progressive refugee-hosting policy and contribution to regional stability, while acknowledging the growing humanitarian pressures associated with hosting large numbers of refugees.

He also highlighted Germany’s continued engagement in climate resilience, regional health security and sustainable development. Among the interventions he cited was the construction of six valley tanks in the Karamoja sub-region to support water access and resilience.

Schmitt emphasised that good governance, transparency, accountability, respect for human rights and a predictable investment environment remain essential foundations for sustainable development cooperation.

He further called for stronger trade, technology and private-sector partnerships, stressing that mobilising private capital alongside development financing would be important in accelerating Uganda’s economic transformation.

The two delegations also underscored the importance of strengthening regional cooperation, honouring existing commitments and speeding up the implementation of development projects to maximise the impact of available resources.

Both sides recognised the importance of mutual respect, constructive dialogue and shared responsibility in addressing differences while advancing their common development priorities.

The negotiations come as Uganda seeks to attract more foreign investment, technology and expertise to strengthen its productive sectors and create employment opportunities under the Tenfold Growth Strategy.

The latest discussions are expected to help shape the next phase of Uganda–Germany cooperation, with greater emphasis on investment, trade, innovation, sustainable development and measurable improvements in the livelihoods of citizens.

The renewed commitment builds on more than six decades of diplomatic and development cooperation between the two countries.