The governments of India and Uganda have committed to expanding and diversifying bilateral trade between the two countries.
This commitment was made during the Third Session of the India-Uganda Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting, held in New Delhi, India, from March 25 to 26, 2025.
In 2023, bilateral trade between Uganda and India reached $1.35 billion, with India exporting goods worth $819 million and Uganda exporting $534 million. This underscores Uganda’s significance as a trading partner for India.
India and Uganda share historical ties spanning over 150 years, with a substantial population of Persons of Indian Origin residing in Uganda and the broader region. This demographic presence serves as an added advantage in promoting trade and investment between the two nations.
The meeting was chaired by Priya P. Nair, Economic Adviser at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India), and Ambassador Elly Kamahungye Kafeero, Head of the International Political Cooperation Department at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both sides identified key sectors for boosting trade and investment, including minerals, coffee, cocoa products, pulses, spices, dairy products, essential oils, plastic raw materials, fruits, vegetables, and residual chemical products.
“We agreed to cooperate in mining, banking, digital infrastructure, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) development, health, pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles, and critical minerals,” said Ambassador Kafeero.
Priya P. Nair added, “We agreed to study and finalize exchanged draft Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of Public Works and Infrastructure, Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Standards, and the Waiver of Visas for holders of Ordinary Passports.”
Additionally, both countries discussed strengthening collaboration, including the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Regional Materials Laboratory, which expired in January 2025.
The two sides also agreed to explore cooperation through the exchange of draft MoUs in various areas, such as the recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia, Traditional Medicine, Telemedicine, Special Economic Zones, and investment promotion.