The Uganda Embassy in Tokyo has reaffirmed its leading role in advancing the country’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy with the successful hosting of the first-ever Uganda–Japan Trade and Investment Forum in Osaka, Japan.
Held under the theme “Boosting Trade and Investments between Uganda and Japan,” the high-level event signaled a strategic move to position Uganda as a key African trade and investment destination in Asia.
The Forum took place at the Grand Ballroom West of The Ritz-Carlton Osaka, and served as a centerpiece of Uganda’s broader engagement at Expo 2025 Osaka. It brought together Japanese investors, business leaders, Ugandan exporters, and government institutions in a coordinated effort to unlock bilateral trade and investment opportunities.
Organized by the Embassy in partnership with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), JETRO, and Uganda’s national media outlets, the event was the result of months of diplomatic outreach and targeted trade promotion.
The Forum followed a successful Uganda Product Exhibition held a day earlier at the Lucua Business Center in Osaka, both part of a sustained campaign to present Uganda as an attractive destination for trade, tourism, and investment during its participation in Expo 2025.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador H.E. Tophace Kaahwa emphasized that Uganda’s engagement in Osaka goes beyond cultural diplomacy.
“This Forum is an extension of Uganda’s hand to Japan—an invitation to explore the immense potential our country offers in trade, manufacturing, agriculture, and innovation,” she said. “The Embassy is proud to lead this mission to deepen Uganda’s economic footprint in the region.”
The event was officiated by Hon. Gen. Mbasu Mbadi, Minister of State for Trade, who applauded the Embassy’s consistent efforts in attracting Japanese interest in Uganda. He reiterated the Government’s strong support for Uganda’s trade diplomacy and economic engagement abroad.
A key highlight of the Forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotions Authority (UFZEPA) and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The agreement, facilitated by the Embassy, aims to strengthen institutional collaboration, encourage knowledge sharing, and support joint investment and trade initiatives.
“This MoU is a testament to Uganda’s commitment to international partnership,” said Mr. Hez Kimoomi Alinda, Executive Director of UFZEPA. “We thank the Embassy for creating this vital bridge between our nations.”
Participants were presented with a comprehensive overview of Uganda’s untapped investment opportunities, particularly in agro-processing, renewable energy, tourism, and value-added manufacturing. Presentations also showcased Uganda’s strategic geographic location and preferential access to regional markets under EAC, COMESA, and AfCFTA.
Uganda’s delegation included representatives from the Uganda Investment Authority, Uganda Development Corporation, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, and the Ministry of Agriculture, all of whom engaged in targeted business-to-business (B2B) meetings with Japanese counterparts.
The Forum underlines the Embassy’s proactive approach in promoting Uganda’s national interests and attracting quality investment through strategic coordination, visibility, and high-level engagements. Uganda is open for business—and ready for strategic partnerships on the global stage.
