Addis Ababa — The Uganda Embassy in Addis Ababa hosted hundreds of Ugandans, diplomats, and dignitaries for a vibrant celebration of Uganda’s 63rd Independence anniversary, combined with a tourism and investment exhibition, on 11 November 2025 at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Guests were treated to electrifying performances by the Crane Performers, alongside detailed presentations from the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), all designed to highlight Uganda’s vast opportunities across the tourism and investment landscape.
Addis Ababa—home to the African Union (AU) and one of Africa’s most influential diplomatic hubs—attracts thousands of high-level officials, international organisation staff, and business travellers each year. This makes the city a fertile market for Uganda to promote tourism, investment, and trade opportunities.
Uganda’s Path to Peace and Stability
In her keynote address, Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and Ambassador to Ethiopia, reflected on Uganda’s difficult history marked by instability and divisions.
She noted that Uganda had overcome its troubled past to become “an island of peace and stability in the region,” adding that the country’s decision to host more than 1.6 million refugees stems from its own history.
“Many Ugandans were refugees during the 1970s and 1980s,” she said, emphasising that this shared experience underpins Uganda’s compassion toward displaced populations.
Ambassador Otengo applauded the strong relations between Uganda and Ethiopia and urged both nations to deepen cooperation that directly benefits their citizens.
“It is not enough for our countries to enjoy good bilateral relations,” she said. “This must translate into tangible economic opportunities that uplift the lives of our people.”
Ethiopia: A Strategic Partner
Ethiopia, with its population of over 120 million and one of Africa’s most advanced leather and textile industries, presents significant opportunities for Ugandan exporters and investors. Many Ethiopians already live and invest in Uganda in areas such as real estate and trade.
The event’s Chief Guest, Amb. Zerehun Abebe, Director of African Affairs at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praised Uganda for its leadership in promoting peace and stability on the continent.
He called on both nations to “tap into the glaring opportunities that can potentially transform the lives of their people.”
Similarly, Amb. Mohamed El-Amine Souef, Chief of Staff in the Office of the AU Commission Chairperson, expressed gratitude for Uganda’s continued commitment to Pan-Africanism and regional security initiatives.
Diaspora Engagement and Investment Drive
Capt. Dr James Kanagwa, Chair of the Ugandan Community in Ethiopia, commended the Ugandan government for embracing the Diaspora as partners in national development. Addis Ababa hosts hundreds of skilled Ugandan professionals working in the AU system and other international agencies.
The exhibition featured the Uganda Investment Authority and the Uganda Tourism Board, highlighting investment opportunities across tourism, agro-processing, manufacturing, energy, and services.
With Ethiopia’s membership in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), its vast market is now more accessible to Ugandan exporters. Opportunities include the export of beef, dairy, leather, textiles, and educational services.
Growing Connectivity and Tourism Synergy
There are currently four daily direct flights between Uganda and Ethiopia, a key enabler of stronger business and tourism links. Tourism stakeholders emphasised that Uganda and Ethiopia complement—rather than compete with—each other, offering distinct attractions that appeal to multi-destination travellers.
Major tour operators in both Addis Ababa and Kampala already design itineraries covering both countries, making joint tourism promotion increasingly viable.
