Uganda’s exports to the United Arab Emirates have nearly doubled, rising from 2.5 billion dollars in 2024 to 4.7 billion dollars in 2025.
Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Zaake Kibedi, disclosed the figures at the Uganda Media Centre, saying the continued growth in exports has also contributed to a significant increase in foreign direct investment from the UAE.
According to Ambassador Zaake, foreign direct investment from the UAE to Uganda grew from 300 million dollars in 2018 to 3.5 billion dollars in 2025.
He also revealed that the UAE has increasingly become a second home for Ugandans, with more than 150,000 Ugandans now living and working there, up from about 50,000 in 2018.
Ambassador Zaake made the remarks ahead of the 5th UAE-Uganda Business Forum, scheduled for October this year.
He said the forum will seek to promote Uganda as a competitive investment and business destination while creating opportunities for Ugandan producers and exporters to access the wider and highly dynamic Gulf market.
By Olivia Nabaggala
18th Aug 2026
END