President Museveni calls for more Japanese investment, road equipment

What the report says

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Japan to expand its investment in Uganda, with particular emphasis on agro-processing, and to help provide road construction equipment that could speed up infrastructure work across the country. According to Watchdog Uganda, he made the appeal during a meeting at State House, Entebbe, with a Japanese delegation led by Ambassador Takahashi Misako, who serves as Director General and Assistant Minister for the African Affairs Department at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The discussion covered wider Uganda-Japan cooperation in infrastructure, energy, education, health, youth development and trade. Museveni thanked Japan for past support on projects including the Kampala Flyover and Karuma Bridge, while also saying Uganda needs more durable machinery such as graders, trucks and compactors for local road works. He suggested that local governments should have their own equipment rather than relying on shared machinery. He also said he would like to meet Japanese companies operating in Uganda to hear their concerns and help address them.

Museveni linked greater Japanese investment in agro-processing to job creation and added that value addition would support economic growth. The Japanese delegation said Japan would continue supporting Uganda through infrastructure, education, health, refugee assistance and human resource development. The ambassador said Japan was considering further help for the Kampala Flyover, road upgrades and the Kibuye-Busega road, and noted plans for a Karuma Bridge groundbreaking ceremony in November, subject to the President’s schedule.

Watchdog Uganda also reported that 17 Japanese companies currently operate in Uganda, and that the two countries discussed scholarship, training and volunteer programmes. More broadly, the meeting fits into long-running Uganda-Japan ties through initiatives such as TICAD, which Japan uses to deepen relations with African partners.