Kampala, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met with Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Eri Arfiya, at State House Entebbe on Friday evening to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation and exploring new avenues for investment between Uganda and Japan.
The meeting focused on advancing industrial development, value addition, and infrastructure projects that benefit both nations.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Museveni emphasized the importance of Japanese investment in Uganda’s manufacturing and transport sectors. He welcomed the invitation to the upcoming Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), expressing optimism about continued development projects and partnerships that uplift both countries.
“The Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Eri Arfiya, visited me at State House Entebbe to discuss bilateral projects and business opportunities between Uganda and Japan. I encouraged investment in manufacturing and transport and welcomed the invitation to the upcoming Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD),” Mr Museveni, 80, wrote on Friday evening.
“I look forward to continued development projects and partnerships that uplift our nations, particularly in industrial development and value addition,” the President added.
On her part, Ms. Arfiya thanked President Museveni for the very warm hospitality accorded to her and her delegation and also assured President Museveni of her personal push for investment projects as well as infrastructure development programs once she sets foot at home in Japan.
She praised President Museveni for championing the resettlement of refugees in Uganda and ensuring peace and stability not only in Uganda but also in the sub-region.
“Uganda has done an incredible job in ensuring that there is peace and stability here for your own people as well as those in the region. On humanitarian support, Japan will remain aligned to you,” she asserted.
Uganda – Japan relations
Uganda and Japan have maintained a strong diplomatic relationship, with Japan playing a significant role in supporting Uganda’s infrastructure development. Notable projects include the Source of the Nile Bridge in Jinja, which improved transportation and connectivity in the region, and the Kampala Flyover Project, aimed at decongesting the city by separating through-traffic from city-street traffic
In March 2025, Uganda and Japan signed an agreement for the construction of the New Karuma Bridge, with funding of approximately USh121 billion (US$33.2 million) provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Construction is expected to commence in June 2026 and last four years.
President Museveni has consistently advocated for value addition in Uganda’s exports, encouraging Japanese investors to establish manufacturing facilities within the country.
During a previous meeting with Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Hayashi Yoshimasa, in August 2023, he highlighted the need to move away from exporting raw materials and instead focus on processing them locally to boost the economy and create jobs.
The upcoming TICAD summit presents an opportunity for Uganda to further engage with Japan and other partners in promoting sustainable development and economic growth.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative anews platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp for realtime updates.
