Kampala, Uganda – On 19 February 2026, The European Union (EU) commemorated half a century of enduring partnership with Uganda. During the media launch of the 50 Years Celebration of the EU–Uganda Partnership, H.E. Ambassador Jan Sadek reflected, “Half a century is long enough for big changes, and long enough to show one simple truth: partnerships matter not just in numbers, but in people and results.”
Since the arrival of the EU Delegation in Kampala in 1976, both Uganda and Europe have navigated transformative periods. The European Union has expanded to 27 Member States, while Uganda has emerged as a regional leader and chair of the Non-Aligned Movement. Through it all, dialogue, trust, and continuity have underpinned a relationship that continues to thrive.
The EU’s investment in Uganda has been substantial: over €5 billion in development cooperation, complemented by roughly another €5 billion in private sector investment. “Public partnership and private enterprise, working in tandem,” Ambassador Sadek emphasised, “create opportunity, jobs, and resilience.” These investments are visible across Uganda from upgraded road corridors like Mbarara–Katuna and Atiak–Laropi to critical health, education, and energy infrastructure, including the upcoming Nalubaale–Kiira hydropower rehabilitation under the Global Gateway initiative. Uganda’s exports to the EU illustrate the partnership’s economic impact, since 2019, exports have nearly tripled, with coffee remaining a flagship product. The recent approval for Ugandan farmed finfish exports signals growing diversification and confidence in Ugandan standards.
The head of International Legal and Social Affairs (ILSA) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador John Leonard Mugerwa while representing Mr. Bagiire Vincent Waiswa the Permanent secretary, noted, “This partnership spreads across our country, creating jobs and opportunities for our young population, and supporting climate resilience and sustainable development.” He further emphasised that Uganda is now moving into middle-income status, and this transition calls for constructive engagement on future economic frameworks that reflect Uganda’s evolving economic profile, he noted. Constructive dialogue, he affirmed, remains the cornerstone: “Even when we have acute issues, we engage constructively in dialogue, and we believe that through dialogue there is nothing that we cannot resolve.”
Looking ahead, the celebration aims not only to honor the past but to inspire the future. Events will take place nationwide, including the Virunga Gorilla Marathon in Kisoro, blending tourism, conservation, and community engagement. The collection of stories, images, and personal accounts will further highlight the tangible human impact of this long-standing partnership.
Uganda’s 50-year EU journey underscores a simple, powerful message: strong, strategic partnerships fuel national growth, attract global investment, and position Uganda as a dynamic destination for tourism, trade, and innovation. As Amb. Sadek concluded, “Fifty years on, the partnership is strong and its next chapter will be written together.”
