Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, chaired high-level bilateral consultations with a delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by H.E. Saqr Sulaiman Al-Qurashi, Director General for African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom.
The engagement forms part of structured political consultations aimed at further strengthening Uganda–Saudi Arabia relations across diplomatic, economic and people-centred pillars. Opening the meeting, the Permanent Secretary expressed appreciation for the enduring friendship between Uganda and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, noting that the relationship has steadily matured into a practical partnership delivering tangible development outcomes. He welcomed the Saudi delegation and introduced the Ugandan technical team, underscoring the consultative, forward-looking and results-oriented nature of the dialogue.
Mr. Bagiire commended the Kingdom’s sustained contribution to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation, particularly in the health, education and human capital sectors. He highlighted the strategic importance of the Naguru Heart Institute, supported by Saudi Arabia, which is expected to significantly ease pressure on the Uganda Heart Institute while strengthening national capacity in specialised cardiac care. Additional support to regional hospitals and vocational training institutions was recognised as a critical investment in inclusive service delivery, skills development and long-term productivity. Education cooperation featured prominently, with acknowledgement of Saudi Arabia’s longstanding support to the Islamic University in Uganda, which has grown from 88 students in 1989 to over 14,500 today reflecting a shared commitment to nurturing a skilled, values-driven generation.
On labour mobility, both sides acknowledged the economic and social value of Ugandan professionals working in the Kingdom, while candidly addressing challenges related to preparedness, cultural orientation and skills matching. The consultations agreed on the importance of enhanced pre-departure training, certification and standardised guidelines, implemented through closer collaboration among relevant ministries, embassies and recruitment agencies. These measures aim to safeguard workers’ welfare, improve employer outcomes and strengthen confidence in labour cooperation frameworks.
The discussions reaffirmed strong political alignment on regional and global issues, including peace and security in Africa and the Middle East. Uganda’s role in regional stability particularly its peace initiatives and contribution to security in Somalia was recognised as a foundation for shared prosperity and investment confidence. Turning to economic cooperation, the Permanent Secretary outlined Uganda’s ambition to position itself as a competitive destination for investment, value addition and tourism. He invited Saudi investors to partner in agro-industrial value chains, supported by improved standards, halal certification processes and modern testing laboratories, as well as in science, technology and innovation, minerals development and contextual digital solutions. He further proposed collaboration on establishing a Saudi–Uganda Industrial Park, leveraging Uganda’s Free Zones regime to serve Middle Eastern and East African markets.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to develop clear priorities, operational guidelines and a joint implementation mechanism to translate discussions into measurable results. Both sides expressed readiness to convene the Joint Commission and sustain high-level exchanges, including a future visit by H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at a mutually convenient time.
Photo Credit: Fahad Mugga
