Hanoi, Vietnam – Uganda and Vietnam reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing practical cooperation in areas of mutual interest including agriculture, digital transformation, energy, tourism, trade and investment. The commitment was reaffirmed during a working session held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam between Amb. Richard Kabonero, Head of the Regional Economic Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda, representing the Permanent Secretary, and Ms. Nguyen Phuong Tra, Director General of the Department of Middle East and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.
The meeting followed the successful convening of the “Uganda – The Pearl of Africa” Forum, which brought together more than 300 representatives from government ministries and agencies, as well as businesses from Uganda and Vietnam. The Forum demonstrated the growing interest and significant potential for expanding economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries.
Uganda’s delegation was led by Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, Minister of Information and National Guidance. It provided a platform for Ugandan and Vietnamese stakeholders to explore opportunities for enhanced collaboration, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture and tourism.
During the working session, Amb. Richard Kabonero underscored Uganda’s interest in deepening cooperation with Vietnam, particularly through the transfer of agricultural knowledge, expertise, technologies and innovations. He also encouraged greater investment by leading Vietnamese technology companies in Uganda and called for strengthened partnerships between the private sectors of the two countries. Amb. Kabonero further highlighted the importance of enhancing tourism cooperation and creating a more conducive environment for tourism operators from both countries. In this regard, he noted the potential of exploring the establishment of a direct air connection between Uganda and Vietnam, which could facilitate greater movement of people, tourism, trade and business between the two countries.
Ms. Nguyen Phuong Tra expressed appreciation to the Government of Uganda for choosing Vietnam as the host country for the “Uganda – The Pearl of Africa” Forum, noting that the event provided an important platform for Vietnamese businesses to gain a deeper understanding of Uganda and explore opportunities in a market of more than 45 million people, as well as the wider East African region. She encouraged Ugandan businesses to explore emerging opportunities in Vietnam and use the country as a gateway to broader markets in the Asia-Pacific region, thereby creating new avenues for trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Ms. Nguyen proposed that the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs accelerate discussions towards concluding bilateral cooperation agreements that will provide a stronger legal and institutional framework for businesses and investors from both countries. Among the proposed areas were agreements on investment protection and promotion and the avoidance of double taxation. The two sides agreed to prioritize the practical implementation of mutually agreed areas of cooperation, particularly in agriculture, digital transformation, energy and tourism, while continuing to explore additional opportunities in trade, investment, technology and private-sector partnerships.
The relationship between Uganda and Vietnam is underpinned by longstanding bonds of friendship and solidarity. The two countries share a history of mutual support, with generations of Ugandan leaders and citizens having expressed solidarity with Vietnam during its struggle for independence and national reunification.
Photo Credit: Sheila Akakwatsa
