Uganda Woos Chinese Investors to Supercharge Agricultural Exports

Uganda is actively courting Chinese investors to revitalize its agriculture sector, hosting the Uganda–China (Changsha) Agricultural Trade and Investment Forum in Hunan Province. The event, organized by the Ugandan Embassy in China, gathered officials, investors, and business leaders to foster ties under the theme ‘Cultivating partnerships for prosperity.’

Ambassador Oliver Wonekha emphasized the timing, aligning with China’s zero-tariff policy on various African exports. This opens doors for Uganda to shift from raw commodities to processed goods, unlocking higher earnings in China’s massive market.

Henry Mayega, head of International Economic Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pitched Uganda as a stable hub with a young workforce, growing manufacturing, and access to East African and continental markets. Agriculture employs two-thirds of Ugandans and drives a quarter of GDP, yet only a third of arable land is cultivated—presenting vast investment potential in irrigation, seeds, processing, and logistics.

Incentives include tax holidays, VAT exemptions on machinery and seeds, and support via the Uganda Investment Authority’s One-Stop Centre. Focus areas span agro-processing, mechanization, cold chains, tourism, minerals, and tech innovation, tying into the national ATMS strategy and Development Plan IV.

The forum signals momentum toward boosted exports, firm partnerships, and projects like the Uganda–Hunan Industrial Park, with strong attendance from Hunan officials and investors.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)