Trade Minister Tanna Courts Japanese Investment in Uganda

What the report says

Uganda’s Trade Minister Sanjay Tanna has called on Japanese investors to expand their footprint in the country, with emphasis on infrastructure, agro-processing, tourism and technology. The remarks came during a courtesy visit by Japanese Ambassador Sasayama Takuya at Farmers House in Kampala, where the two sides discussed ways to deepen bilateral economic cooperation, according to Nile Post.

Tanna used the meeting to press for support to upgrade the Busia and Malaba One Stop Border Posts, saying rising trade along the Northern Corridor has created congestion and long truck queues. He argued that improved border and road infrastructure would help speed up regional commerce and strengthen Uganda’s role in cross-border trade. He also encouraged Japanese firms to help add value to Ugandan farm produce for local and export markets.

The minister highlighted products such as pineapples, avocados, milk, essential oils, organic honey and shea butter as areas with investment potential. He said Uganda has raw materials in abundance but needs processing capacity and market access, including for sugar, meat and eggs. In return, Ambassador Sasayama pointed to ongoing cooperation in agriculture, including the NERICA upland rice project, and said Japan remains interested in food security and farmer incomes.

The envoy also mentioned a planned Japanese business mission to Uganda in January 2027 and invited Tanna to the Yokohama Green Expo 2027. Both sides said they would pursue follow-up action on trade, investment and technology transfer.