The 2nd Uganda–Somalia Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) and Investment & Business Forum officially opened in Kampala today, bringing together government officials, business leaders, and private sector representatives from both nations under the theme: “Promoting Uganda-Somalia Partnership through Investment, Trade & Tourism and Harnessing Opportunities in Both Countries.”
In his opening remarks, Mr Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed delegates and extended a warm reception to his Somali counterpart, H.E. Hamza Adan Haadoow, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia.
Reflecting on the inaugural session held in Kampala in 2022, Mr Bagiire noted that four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) had been signed between the two countries.
“It is important that our two countries track and review the implementation of signed MoUs to deliver real results for our people,” Mr Bagiire said. He emphasised that the current session would see new agreements in immigration, education and sports, and a bilateral labour pact.
Describing the JPC as “our engine of cooperation,” Mr Bagiire highlighted its role in coordinating security, trade, education, and migration matters. “Through the JPC, we harmonise issues such as education fees for East African students — what a Ugandan pays should be what an East African pays. Our goal as Uganda is to export more to Somalia — our produce, our manufactured goods, our services,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary underscored the link between diplomacy and action. “The JPC is not just diplomacy on paper — it’s action. We use it to resolve real issues — from student welfare to trade barriers — and to build a secure, prosperous region anchored in African cooperation,” he said.
H.E. Hamza Adan Haadoow expressed gratitude to the delegates and conveyed warm greetings from Somalia’s President H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to President Yoweri Museveni and the people of Uganda. He also congratulated Uganda ahead of its 63rd Independence Anniversary.
“The friendship between Somalia and Uganda is deep and enduring. Our partnership now moves from commitment to concrete results — from words to real progress that touches the lives of our citizens,” H.E. Haadoow said.
He acknowledged Uganda’s role in supporting peace and stability in Somalia under AMISOM and ATMIS and called for strengthened collaboration in trade, investment, cultural exchanges, and education.
Highlighting the importance of business linkages, Uganda’s Ambassador to Somalia, Richard Kabonero, noted: “Uganda has in the last five years added 34 products to our export basket. Finding regional markets is critically important. Every product manufactured here, every crop grown, has a market in Somalia. We need strong linkages between the Ugandan and Somali private sectors, anchored by robust legal and regulatory frameworks.”
On the sidelines of the JPC, Ugandan companies showcased a wide array of products across agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development, and science, technology, and innovation sectors.
Key exhibitors included Inspire Africa Coffee, Lato, Supreme Flour, Kampala Pharmaceutical Industry, Tooke Dei BioPharma, Brookside, Mac Bee Honey, DEEQA Construction, and Qaran Tourism, among others.
The second session of the Uganda–Somalia JPC underscores both nations’ commitment to translating diplomatic agreements into tangible economic, social, and cultural outcomes.
