Uganda and India have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade relations during the Third Session of the India-Uganda Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting, held in New Delhi, India, from March 25-26, 2025.
The meeting was jointly organized by the Uganda High Commission in New Delhi and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India.
Mr. Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Republic of India, inaugurated the session.
He emphasized the need for concerted efforts to tap into the unexploited potential of bilateral trade, highlighting key sectors such as e-commerce, MSME cluster development, pharmaceuticals, solar energy, and rural electrification.
The JTC meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Priya P Nair, Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Ambassador Elly Kamahungye Kafeero, Head of International Political Cooperation Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Uganda.
The co-chairs acknowledged the excellent existing bilateral relationship between the two countries, emphasizing the need to leverage the Joint Trade Committee to discuss trade, investment, and mutual cooperation.
They recognized that the current bilateral trade volume of US$ 1.3 billion does not reflect the full potential of their partnership.
To enhance cooperation, both sides agreed to establish an India-Uganda Joint Business Forum, focusing on key sectors such as minerals, coffee, cocoa products, pulses, spices, dairy products, and essential oils.
They also discussed cooperation in mining, banking, digital infrastructure, MSME development, health, pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles, and critical minerals.
The countries agreed to explore memoranda of understanding in areas like public works, infrastructure, agriculture, ICT, standards, and visa waivers. The Ugandan delegation also visited the Noida Special Economic Zone to gain insights into India’s industrial and export ecosystem.
The Ugandan delegation comprised of Ambassador Professor Joyce Kikafunda Kakuramatsi, Uganda’s High Commissioner to India; Major General Apollo Kasiita Gowa, Director Citizenship & Immigration Control, Ministry of Internal Affairs; Mr. Patrick Joram Mugisha, Commissioner Business Development and Quality Control, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives; Eng. James Kasigwa, Executive Director, Ugandan National Bureau of Standards along with officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; Ministry of Works and Transport; Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Ministry of ICT & National Guidance; Uganda Civil Aviation Authority; Uganda Airlines and Uganda High Commission, New Delhi.