Uganda has restated its determination to strengthen international cooperation as part of efforts to expand its economy and draw in more high-value investments.
According to senior government officials, the country is working to tap opportunities in priority sectors such as energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and technology. The strategy, they say, is anchored on forging global alliances that can unlock long-term economic benefits and enhance Uganda’s competitiveness on the world stage.
This renewed push was highlighted during a high-level meeting focused on advancing Uganda’s value-addition ambitions.
A key development came as Dr. Odera Ozoka met with General Salim Saleh, the chief coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and senior presidential adviser on Defence and Security. Their discussions underscored Uganda’s readiness to pursue strategic international partnerships to accelerate economic transformation.
Launched in 2013 as a central pillar of President Yoweri Museveni’s poverty-eradication agenda, OWC has built a reputation for driving fast-paced economic interventions. Officials say the programme is now positioned to attract global expertise and investment to shift Uganda from exporting raw materials to producing higher-value goods.
The talks revealed a deliberate effort to align Uganda’s agricultural and commodity sectors with global market dynamics. In particular, the coffee sector—which remains one of the country’s biggest export earners—is set for a refined approach focused on market positioning rather than just production volume.
Dr. Ozoka explained that discussions focused heavily on marketing strategies capable of elevating Uganda’s coffee in the international marketplace. The approach aims to blend farmer financing, efficient production systems, and strong branding to create multiple investor opportunities along the value chain.
Uganda’s recently identified gold deposits, valued at an estimated $12 trillion, were also highlighted as a major draw for investors. With government policy now centred on value addition instead of exporting unprocessed minerals, officials say investors have a rare chance to help build new processing capacity from the ground up.
To support this, a trilateral investment structure involving the United States, United Kingdom, and Nigeria is being developed. This framework is expected to provide access to advanced technologies, regulatory expertise, and established global markets. Nigeria’s role is described as particularly important due to its experience managing resource-driven projects in African environments, aligning with President Museveni’s broader vision for pan-African economic cooperation.
With 38 billion Ugandan shillings already committed and international engagements moving forward, the initiative has shifted into the planning stage. Dr. Ozoka says the coming months will be crucial for investors looking to be part of projects likely to “define Uganda’s economic trajectory for decades.”
Observers note that the combination of political will, OWC’s operational structure, major mineral discoveries, and a refined agricultural-export strategy presents a strong case for investors seeking opportunities in Africa’s emerging markets.
