Inaugural Uganda-Japan trade, investment forum to boost economic ties

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Preparations are in full swing for the inaugural Uganda-Japan Trade and Investment Forum, scheduled to take place from June 17 to 19 in Osaka, Japan.

The high-level strategic conference will take place at the Ritz-Carlton in Osaka under the theme of Connecting Lives and Empowering Lives.

The Uganda Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotions Authority (UFZEPA) have been actively working over the past two weeks to use the upcoming conference as an opportunity to attract more investors and tourists from Japan.

(L-R): Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, the Minister of State for ICT looks on as Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance shakes hands with Inoue Yoichi the chief representative Japan International Cooperation Agency and Aminah Zawedde the Permanent Secretary after a study tour for Japanese ICT companies at the Informantion ministry on 3rd Feb 2023. (Photo by Nicholas Oneal)

Their goal is to implement measures that will significantly increase Uganda’s exports to Japan in order to reduce the current large trade deficit.

During the celebration of the Emperor of Japan's birthday in February this year, Uganda's state minister for foreign affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, stated that Uganda would exert all efforts to boost exports to Japan.

Oryem noted that whereas Uganda had imported goods from Japan worth $450m in 2024, Uganda’s exports to Japan in the same year were only $21.6m.

Talking about why investments and trade between the two countries are still very low and about Uganda being exceptionally endowed by nature, the ambassador of Japan to Uganda, His Excellency Takuya Sasayama, said, “It seems that the information about Africa does not reach many people living in Japan, including myself. Also, I notice that information about Japan is limited for Ugandans.”

Pledging that he would make every effort to promote the uniqueness of both countries to be more beneficial to each other, Ambassador Sasayama said, “I would like to convey the true image of Africa and Uganda to the people of Japan, and at the same time, I would like to deliver the value of Japan to as many Ugandans as possible.”

Talking about the various opportunities and activities the Uganda delegation will explore, Sasayama said, "There is an ongoing global expo in Japan which started in April and will end in October.

Ugandans are among the exhibitors there. It is a great opportunity to promote Ugandan products to the Japanese. The Uganda-Japan Trade and Investment Forum that will be happening in Osaka is the first of its kind."

Sasayama explained that the engagement will help the business community and government officials from both countries to discuss ways trade and investment undertakings between the two countries can be taken to greater heights.

Robinah Nabbanja (2nd right), the Prime Minister of Uganda, Tophace Kaahwa (3rd left), Uganda's Ambassador to Japan, Tugume Nelson, the Executive director Inspire Africa share a cup of Ugandan coffee with the Japanese state minister for economy trade and industry, Shinichi Nakatani (right) together with other officials during the Business Forum in Tokyo in 2022.

The ambassador said that many Japanese investors will be attending the conference to know the investment opportunities they can harness in Uganda.

"We are looking for investments in infrastructure, agriculture, and manufacturing products. The conference will help Japanese investors to know the enormous business potential in Uganda's economy, which is strategically located in the centre of the East African Community," he stated.

The Uganda delegation will also participate in the ongoing global trade expo known as the World Exposition (Expo) 2025 Okasaka, Kansai, which started on April 13, 2025, and will end in October 2025.