Uganda Strengthens Bilateral Cooperation with Italy in Trade and Investment

By Abraham Lincolns | Kampala

The government of Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Italy in coffee development, trade, investment, infrastructure and skills development.This was revealed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who made the remarks after the Ambassador of Italy to Uganda, Mauro Massoni, paid a courtesy call on him at State House and briefed him on progress in cooperation between the two countries.

The President applauded Ambassador Massoni for the briefing and welcomed efforts to expand collaboration between Uganda and Italy, including partnerships with Italian companies. Massoni also revealed to the President Museveni that an Italian delegation is expected to come to Uganda, led by the Secretary General of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whom Museveni had previously met.

The delegation is expected to include representatives from Italy’s development and export finance sector, traders and business leaders, who will engage their Ugandan counterparts on areas of mutual interest. The Ambassador also briefed Museveni on ongoing discussions on a coffee development project aimed at supporting Uganda’s coffee sector and smallholder farmers.

He said the Italian delegation would also participate in preparations for the groundbreaking of a Coffee House at Kyambogo University. Uganda and Italy are also preparing for the Uganda Business Forum, scheduled to take place in Rome in October where Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives is expected to participate in the forum.

“This forum will bring together Ugandan and Italian businesses and provide an opportunity to explore new trade and investment partnerships,” Massoni said. The discussions also covered infrastructure and investment opportunities, including the Tororo Cement project. President Museveni expressed interest in initiatives that can strengthen Uganda’s regional transport and trade links, particularly improved connections to the railway network towards Tanzania.

“We discussed strengthening Uganda-Italy relations, particularly in trade, investment, infrastructure and agro-processing. We also discussed the forthcoming Uganda Business Forum in Rome, which will provide an opportunity to showcase Uganda and attract more Italian investment” the President said.

Massoni further informed President Museveni that doctors from Lubowa Hospital are currently undertaking training in Italy, highlighting another area of cooperation between the two countries in skills development and healthcare. The engagements underscore Uganda and Italy’s efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation and promote greater trade, investment, technology and skills partnerships.