President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed Uganda’s readiness to supply food items to the Republic of Cuba in exchange for medicines and medical supplies, as part of a new initiative to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
The President committed on Wednesday, 15th October 2025, during a meeting with a high-level Cuban delegation on the sidelines of the 19th Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
President Museveni stated that Uganda was prepared to roll out the arrangement in the next financial year.
“We are ready. We are going to target the next financial year. We are going to start planning, and we shall budget for it,” he said.
The Cuban delegation was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, who conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from Army General Raúl Castro and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. He also extended an invitation to President Museveni to visit Havana at his convenience.
Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, science, and manufacturing. President Museveni reiterated Uganda’s commitment to engaging in a mutually beneficial barter trade arrangement with Cuba, noting that such collaboration would strengthen both economies.
Under the proposed framework, the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC)—the commercial arm of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)—will spearhead the initiative. NEC will coordinate the procurement and export of food commodities such as maize and beans to Cuba.
Lt Gen James Mugira, Managing Director of NEC, informed the President that initial consultations had already been held with Cuban officials to determine Cuba’s specific food needs and the categories of medicines and medical supplies they plan to send to Uganda in return.
“These supplies will be directed to the Ministry of Health to enhance healthcare delivery and improve the quality of life for Ugandans,” Gen Mugira noted.
The meeting was also attended by Hon. Dr Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation; Hon. Vincent Bagiire, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Juan Humberto Macias Pino, Cuban Ambassador-Designate to Uganda; and Mr Alberto Amoros Nunez, Head of the Cuban Sub-Saharan Africa Division.