ENTEBBE – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has welcomed plans by Qatari investors to partner with Uganda in strategic sectors including food processing, energy, logistics, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, describing the collaboration as an important step towards transforming Africa’s abundant natural resources into wealth.
The President made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting at State House Entebbe with a delegation from Al Mansour Holding, led by Mr Omar Bchinnati, Chief of Staff to Sheikh Mansour bin Jabor bin Jassim Al Thani. Mr Bchinnati represented Sheikh Mansour, the Chairman of Al Mansour Holding and a prominent member of Qatar’s royal family.
President Museveni said Uganda’s relationship with the Arab world has steadily evolved over the decades, beginning with Egypt’s support for African liberation movements before expanding into broader economic partnerships with Gulf nations.
“We started with Nasser of Egypt. He helped us in the struggle for independence. We wanted to work with the Arab world, but at that time we did not know much about the Gulf,” President Museveni said.
He explained that Uganda’s engagement with Gulf countries gained momentum following developments in the region during the 1980s, paving the way for stronger cooperation with countries such as Qatar.
“Later, we linked up with Dubai. Many Arabs had oil, and we thought we could work together because here in Africa, we have many resources. Africa is 12 times the size of India, and our population is now about 1.5 billion people. When the Arab world is near us, we can do many things together,” he noted.
The President emphasised that Uganda is seeking partnerships that promote value addition to the country’s raw materials, saying this is essential for industrialisation and job creation.
He identified food processing, starch production, coffee processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing as priority sectors where investors could immediately establish profitable ventures.
“For food processing, we are ready. For instance, we have a lot of needs for starch. We have people who can partner with you—cooperatives, individuals and government bodies—and we can start immediately because the market is there,” he said.
President Museveni explained that local starch production would strengthen Uganda’s pharmaceutical industry by reducing dependence on imported raw materials.
“If we produce pharmaceuticals using imported starch from India and Turkey, those costs are added, yet we have the capacity here. If we use our own starch, medicine would become cheaper,” he said.
He added that Uganda already possesses the raw materials, skilled workforce and utilities needed for industrial development, noting that investment capital remains one of the country’s key requirements.
President Museveni pledged to provide the investors with a list of priority projects that could be implemented through immediate collaboration, highlighting the Soroti Fruit Factory, a starch processing facility in Pallisa, coffee processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“I propose we start with fruits, starch, coffee and pharmaceuticals,” he said.
Mr Omar Bchinnati said the delegation was motivated by President Museveni’s vision for Africa’s economic transformation and had travelled to Uganda to explore long-term investment opportunities.
“Your vision for Africa is very inspiring. We are here because you have a lot of knowledge and experience. There have been many people promising what they can do, but I believe in the unity of Africa, the trade and the business opportunities that Africa offers,” he said.
Mr Bchinnati revealed that Sheikh Mansour is interested in investing in Uganda’s energy, gas, logistics and industrial sectors, expressing readiness to deepen economic cooperation between the two sides.
“He is ready to work with Uganda and further the collaboration. We appreciate your direction on how we can move forward in this partnership,” he said.
He added that the visit was intended to lay the groundwork for Sheikh Mansour’s future visit to Uganda while demonstrating Al Mansour Holding’s investment capacity.
“We want to show what we have accomplished before his visit. He wants to come and open this partnership,” Mr Bchinnati said.
He further disclosed that Al Mansour Holding has developed a 10-year investment strategy focused on building strategic international partnerships.
The delegation also included Mr Matteo Scappucci, Head of Operations at Al Mansour Holding.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Dr Monica Musenero; the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Eng. Irene Pauline Batebe; Capt. Mike Mukula and other senior government officials.