Minister Babalanda Calls for Investment and Industrial Partnerships to Accelerate Uganda’s Transformation at ITAF 2026

What the report says

Uganda’s Minister for the Presidency, Babirye Milly Babalanda, used a speech at Industrial Transformation Africa (ITAF) 2026 in Casablanca, Morocco, to urge greater investment, technology transfer and industrial partnerships for Uganda’s development agenda. Watchdog Uganda reported that she framed the country as open to investors interested in manufacturing, value addition and long-term cooperation.

According to the report, Babalanda said Uganda wants to move away from exporting mostly unprocessed goods and instead build capacity for finished and semi-finished products. She pointed to sectors that could attract partnership, including agro-processing, coffee and other agricultural value chains, pharmaceuticals, building materials, mineral processing, oil and gas-related industries, machinery, renewable energy and digital services. She also said modern production methods, including digitalisation, automation and mechanisation, are important for raising productivity and competitiveness.

The minister stressed that technology partnerships should include skills development and knowledge transfer so Ugandan workers and businesses can operate modern industrial systems. She also linked agricultural mechanisation to stronger raw material supplies for manufacturing and better incomes for farmers. Watchdog Uganda said she described ITAF as a platform for connecting Uganda with investors, technology providers and African partners, while also tapping wider regional markets under applicable trade rules.

Babalanda also highlighted Uganda’s young population, domestic market, natural resources and location in East Africa as factors that could support industrial growth. The speech presented industrialisation as central to Uganda’s economic transformation and employment creation.