President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly in trade, investment, and other sectors critical to shared economic growth.
The President made the remarks on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, during a meeting with a high-level Iranian delegation led by Dr Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, on the sidelines of the 19th Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
“We are ready to develop and strengthen our relationship with Iran. On business, we are going to move,” President Museveni assured the delegation, emphasising Uganda’s openness to deepening economic collaboration with Iran.
Iran Invites President Museveni for Official Visit
In his remarks, Dr Araghchi conveyed warm greetings from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and extended an official invitation to President Museveni to visit Tehran.
“The President sent his best regards to you and asked me to extend an invitation to Your Excellency,” he said, recalling the visit of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Uganda two years ago. “You know, two years ago, our late President paid a visit to Uganda, which was very good and successful.”
President Museveni welcomed the invitation and promised to honour it after Uganda’s forthcoming elections. “I will come after the elections,” he said.
Dr Araghchi responded, “That’s very good news. I will convey this to my President.”
Trade and Investment High on Agenda
Dr Araghchi acknowledged that the current level of trade between Uganda and Iran remains below potential but expressed optimism about expanding cooperation.
“The trade between the two sides is not good at all, and we believe there are many opportunities to be discovered and explored,” he said. “There are many Iranian companies interested in doing business in engineering and construction in your country, and some have already started that.”
He urged Uganda to continue supporting Iranian enterprises already operating in the country and proposed convening the next Uganda–Iran Joint Economic Commission to identify new investment opportunities.
The Iranian Foreign Minister also encouraged Ugandan business leaders to accompany President Museveni on his future visit to Iran to explore partnerships with the Iranian private sector.
“There are no sanctions on food, agricultural products, medicines, or medical equipment,” he added, highlighting Iran’s capacity to engage in mutually beneficial trade despite international restrictions. “Your country also has great potential to supply us with agricultural products.”
Dr Araghchi cited Iran’s trade with the United Arab Emirates, which exceeds $30 billion, as evidence of the resilience and adaptability of Iranian commerce even amid geopolitical challenges.
Iran Commends Uganda’s Role in NAM and Global Affairs
Dr Araghchi commended Uganda for successfully hosting the NAM Ministerial Meeting and thanked President Museveni for the warm hospitality extended to his delegation.
“We are very grateful for the well-organised ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, and we hope to achieve more solidarity, unity, and cooperation among member states,” he said.
He also praised President Museveni for his firm and principled stance on global justice and sovereignty, particularly his position on conflicts involving Israel and the United States. “Your position has been very correct and principled,” Dr Araghchi noted.
The meeting was attended by the Iranian Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Majid Saffar, Mr Esmaeil Baghaei Hamaneh, and Mr Vahid Ahmadi, a Member of the Iranian Parliament. On the Ugandan side, officials included Hon. Okello Oryem, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Mr Vincent Bagiire, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Amb. Kamahungye Elly, Director of International and Regional Economic Cooperation.