Kampala, Uganda — A high-level delegation from Foodco National Food, a major food company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has pledged to open up significant export opportunities for Uganda’s agricultural products.
The delegation, led by Dr. Mohammed Ali Khamis Alhosani, Chairman of the International Market Group, visited Uganda on a fact-finding mission aimed at assessing Uganda’s export potential and investing in agri-logistics infrastructure.
During a roundtable hosted by the Uganda Agribusiness Alliance (UAA) in Bukoto, Kampala, the delegation held extensive discussions with farmers’ associations.
“Uganda Has What the World Wants”
Speaking at the event, Dr. Alhosani emphasized that Uganda has high-quality products that are on demand in the UAE market, including fresh and dried mangoes, cocoa, avocados, ginger, eggs, chicken, and organic produce.
“We are interested in a wide range of Ugandan products – fresh, and dried. We already import mangoes from Kenya. Why not from Uganda? Your products are good,” said Dr. Alhosani.
However, he pointed out that many Ugandan agricultural products have short shelf lives, which limits their competitiveness on international markets. To address this, the delegation announced plans to invest in cold, dry, and freezing storage facilities near Entebbe International Airport, to facilitate efficient logistics and ensure product freshness on arrival in the UAE.
“We are negotiating with the Ministry of Lands to secure space near the airport for storage and logistics infrastructure. Our proposed investment is around $50 million USD, which includes building facilities that can handle up to 50,000 metric tons of agricultural produce,” he added.
Building Value Chains, Not Just Products
Dr. Victoria Ssekitoleko, Chairperson of the Uganda Agribusiness Alliance, underscored the need for Uganda to strengthen its domestic value chains in order to meet the scale, quality, and consistency required by international buyers.
“Let us stop producing as individuals. If we grow our domestic value chains here, we can easily be part of global value chains,” she said. “Take Butambala for example, they collectively produce 100,000 tonnes of ginger a year. That kind of organization attracts buyers.”
She called on Ugandan farmers to organize into cooperatives, prioritize quality control, and work closely with institutions like UAA that link producers to global buyers.
Farmers Welcome Direct Market Access
Dr. Julian Adyeri, Chairperson of the Nwoya Fruit Outgrowers Cooperative Society, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet buyers directly, noting that it eliminates middlemen and boosts farmers’ earnings.
“We are now able to export our fresh and dried mangoes, guavas, and other fruits directly to the UAE. The buyers will even provide formulas to guide us on quality and market demand,” she said. “This is a big breakthrough for smallholder farmers, especially women in Northern Uganda.”
She also called for government support in land ownership rights for women and controlling pests like fruit flies, which remain a barrier to quality production.
Poultry Sector Eyes Expansion
Martin Roy Lukwago, Chairperson of the Commercial Layers Association, highlighted Uganda’s proven track record in egg exports, citing past shipments to Saudi Arabia and ongoing trade with regional markets such as Kenya, South Sudan, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania.
“Continuous evacuation of eggs from our market helps stabilize prices and boosts production. We’re ready to scale up to meet the UAE’s demand, especially for organic eggs,” Lukwago said.
Future Opportunities: Avocado Oil, Organic Certification, and Islamic Banking
The UAE delegation also expressed interest in setting up a refinery for avocado oil and exploring the possibility of developing organic-certified farms in Uganda, tailored to their specific market requirements. Discussions are ongoing to facilitate agriculture-focused manpower exchange, given Uganda’s skilled labor in farming.
Dr. Alhosani further revealed Foodco’s plans to expand into other sectors in Uganda, including Islamic banking and logistics, through long-standing partnerships such as their collaboration with Haze International for manpower sourcing.
A New Chapter in Uganda-UAE Trade Relations
The visit marks the beginning of a strategic trade relationship that could position Uganda as a key supplier of fresh and processed agricultural products to the Middle East.
“This is just the first of many visits,” Dr. Alhosani said. “We are committed to building long-term partnerships here.”
