The Uganda-Tanzania Trade Mission 2025, which is taking place in Kampala, is focused on strengthening trade partnerships for long-term prosperity. Organised by the Uganda High Commission in Dar-Es-Salaam, the week-long event aims at promoting Economic and Commercial Diplomacy and is being hosted at the Four Points Hotel in Kampala.
Senior officials, business leaders, and delegates from both countries gathered to discuss boosting trade and improving economic cooperation. Vice Chairperson of the Private Sector Foundation (PSFU), Sarah Kagingo, welcomed the Tanzanian delegation. She highlighted PSFU’s role as Uganda’s top private sector body, which supports business associations, corporations, and public sector agencies.
Kagingo praised the collaboration between the Uganda High Commission and key stakeholders in organising the event. She pointed out that the mission aims to encourage Tanzanian businesses to explore opportunities in Uganda, particularly in sectors like agro-processing, construction materials, steel, dairy, pharmaceuticals, and FMCG.
The High Commissioner of Uganda to Tanzania, Col (rtd) Fred Mwesigye, expressed gratitude to all involved and shared the positive economic growth between the two countries. In 2024, bilateral trade increased to USD 2.23 billion, up from USD 1.36 billion in 2023. However, he acknowledged the trade imbalance, with Uganda’s exports to Tanzania standing at USD 185 million and imports from Tanzania at USD 2.0 billion. Amb. Mwesigye urged the participants to seize opportunities to further deepen economic ties.
Chief guest Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, representing the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for Regional Cooperation, said the mission was an important step in strengthening commercial and investment relations. He also mentioned key industrial projects, such as Liaoshen Industrial Park and Pearl Dairy, as examples of Uganda's thriving business ecosystem, providing joint ventures, supply chain partnerships, and market integration.
Gen. Mbadi highlighted infrastructure projects like the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), expected to generate over USD 20 billion in revenue, create more than 10,000 jobs, and boost sectors such as energy and logistics. He reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to building a business-friendly environment and improving market access.
Masunga Biteko, representing the High Commissioner of Tanzania to Uganda, also shared his appreciation for the strong bilateral ties. He stressed that the Trade Mission's purpose is to unlock trade opportunities and encourage partnerships that will drive economic growth in both nations. Mr. Biteko also urged Tanzanians and Ugandans to continue using Air Tanzania and MV Umoja for transport between the two countries.
The Trade Mission will run until the end of the week, featuring B2B sessions and field visits to the Kapeeka and Namanve Industrial Parks.
