Uganda High Commissioner Invites Indian Businesses to Invest at Coimbatore Summit

And the High Commissioner to India, Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, has extended a strong invitation to Indian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Uganda, describing the East African nation as a land of immense economic potential and reaffirming the deep-rooted friendship between India and Uganda.

At Coimbatore’s economic summit in Coimbatore, the High Commissioner expressed her delight at visiting the city and praised the efforts of the organizer of the event, Dr. Asif Iqbal, towards establishing international business partnerships and strengthening India-Uganda ties.

"I am very happy to be here in this beautiful city of Coimbatore to attend this economic summit organized by my friend, Dr. Asif Iqbal," she said. “This is a great friend of Uganda, and he’s already been in the midst of a few summits like this. I thank him for his efforts to bring our countries closer."

Kikafunda described Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa,” which is what she called because of its amazing natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and economic potential. Uganda has a lot of opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, tourism, mining, renewable energy, healthcare, education, and technology, she said.

She encouraged Indian entrepreneurs and industrialists to consider Uganda as a strategic investment destination, pointing to the country’s investor-friendly environment, growing economy, and access to regional African markets.

The High Commissioner said India and Uganda have a long history of friendship. She said the two countries celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations last year. They established embassies in New Delhi and Kampala in 1965, three years after Uganda became independent in 1962.

"The relationship between Uganda and India is old and has been one, and it has only grown stronger and stronger, and today it is at its peak," she said, adding that the establishment of diplomatic missions in the early days of Uganda was indicative of Uganda's interest in forging close relations with India.

The ambassador also described growing cooperation between the two countries in trade, education, healthcare, capacity building, and development partnerships. India has played a key role in Uganda’s development journey and has been involved in infrastructure development, training, technology transfer, and people-to-people connections.

As she recalled a historic moment in bilateral relations, Kikafunda also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Uganda, during which he addressed the Parliament of Uganda. She said the visit showed India’s commitment to Africa and took India-Uganda relations to new heights.

During her stay in Coimbatore, the High Commissioner also visited a manufacturing facility and was impressed by the city’s industrial ecosystem. She stated that Coimbatore is one of India’s major manufacturing and export hubs and is a natural partner in expanding economic cooperation with Uganda.

She said she hopes that businesses from Coimbatore will create jobs in Uganda and Ugandan entrepreneurs will invest in India, so that their cooperation will generate trade, employment, and innovation.

That is why business collaboration for more than just economic growth and to enhance cultural understanding and friendship between the people of both countries would be very beneficial, the High Commissioner said.

As India's efforts to penetrate African states are growing, Uganda is still an important strategic partner in East Africa. Cooperation in investment, trade, infrastructure, education, and technology is expected to strengthen bilateral relationships and contribute to shared prosperity.

Kikafunda continued by asserting Uganda's commitment to working closely with India and said that the Coimbatore Economic Summit would help the two countries develop long-term partnerships, as well as open new areas for cooperation.