India Seeks to Enhance Bilateral Ties with Uganda

By Faridah N Kulumba

Recently the government of India invited 47 journalists, media professionals and editors from 23 countries from East Africa, Southern Africa, West Asia and North Africa for a familiarization tour in India.

The East and Southern Africa countries included Botswana, Burundi, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. And the West Asia and North African countries included, Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, and Tunisia

The visit was hosted by India’s External Affairs Ministry. Uganda was represented by Uganda Broadcasting Corporation journalist Faridah N Kulumba and Steven Matege from the New Vision Publication.

Uganda and India cooperations

According to Mayank Singh India’s Joint Secretary (E&SA) Ministry of External Affairs who held discussions with the media professionals on behalf of Dr. S. Jaishankar India’s External Affairs Minister, Uganda and India have been having a natural partnership for many years.

The two nations share a strong and multifaceted relationship, based on the historical Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) that were signed to enhance their relations into various sectors like political, economic, cultural, capacity building trade pharmacy and defense cooperation among others.

In September 2023 Uganda Airlines started a direct flight to Mumbai-India to ease transport and trade between the two countries.

The World Business Journal released a report showing that the total bilateral trade volume between India and Uganda is approximately USD1.3 billion. In the fiscal year from April 2022 to March 2023, India’s exports to Uganda were around USD 560 million, while imports from Uganda were approximately USD 492.8 million , resulting in a total trade volume of USD 1.053 billion

The motive of the visit

The government of India aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties with some African nations including Uganda by showing their visitors areas where they wish to cooperate in order to boost their economies.

Among the corporations for partnership include Rites Ltd an Indian public sector undertaking and engineering consultancy corporation specializing in transport infrastructure. Formerly known as Rail India Technical and Economic Service, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) a company that operates retail payments and settlement systems in India, Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India.

The one week visit which started from, Mumbai, to New Delhi and ended in Agra from 7th to 15th June 2025 also encompassed various educational engagements including visiting historical sites, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), also known as the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM, Film City, Asian News International (ANI) Taj Mahal and many more.

India says more cooperation can be achieved if Uganda approaches India for assistance.

When UBC’s journalist asked Mr. Singh whether India has a massive ego that’s why they are waiting to be approached by Uganda for assistance yet the partnership benefits both parties, he replied by saying it’s not ego but humility.

“We cannot suggest for other countries areas where they need assistance, but we go by what the government wants. Mr Singh said.

In May 2024, Uganda was awarded the AIM Investment Award 2024, as the best investment destination for attracting some of the most significant foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in Africa in 2023.