EU and Uganda celebrate 50-Years of Diplomatic Relations with focus on Trade, investment and People

The Vice President Jessica Alupo has reaffirmed Uganda’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the European Union in areas that promote sustainable investment, technology transfer, and shared prosperity.

She made the remarks while officiating at the Europe Day 2026 and celebrations to 50-years of partnership between Uganda and the European Union since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1976.

Over the past five decades, the European Union and its Member States, working collectively as Team Europe, have contributed more than €5 billion in development cooperation to Uganda.

This support according to VP Alupo has contributed to improvements in infrastructure, energy, trade, education, and community resilience across the country.

She said the European Union has also remained a vital partner in addressing humanitarian needs emphasizing that Uganda hosts the largest refugee population in Africa, reflecting the country’s enduring commitment to solidarity and regional stability.

“We appreciate the EU’s continued humanitarian assistance to refugees and host communities, as well as its support in strengthening our response to natural disasters and public health emergencies,” the vice president said.

Alupo highlighted that Uganda and EU cooperation is increasingly being shaped by investment and economic opportunity saying that under the Global Gateway strategy, they are already seeing tangible progress.

“The €25 million initiative supporting cross-border infrastructure, including the Ntoroko lake port and the Mahagi corridor, is enhancing regional connectivity and trade,” she said.

In the energy sector, Alupo said the €30 million rehabilitation of the Nalubaale–Kiira hydropower complex is strengthening Uganda’s energy capacity and supporting industrial growth.

Trade between Uganda and the European Union also continues to expand. In 2025, Uganda’s exports to the EU reached an estimated €1.5 billion, driven by agricultural products such as coffee, alongside the growing success of farmed fish exports to the European market.

The vice president told the European Union Diplomatic Corps, that Uganda remains steadfast in its pursuit of middle-income status under Vision 2040.

She said as our economy becomes more resilient, we are making progress toward graduation from the Least Developed Country category.

However added that while this milestone reflects important national achievements, it also presents challenges related to trade preferences and market access.

“Continued engagement with the European Union during this transition will therefore remain important. Instruments such as the Everything But Arms initiative and the Generalized System of Preferences continue to provide valuable support for Uganda’s export competitiveness,” Alupo said.

She added that, this transition also reinforces the importance of industrialization, manufacturing, and value addition in building a more diversified economy capable of creating employment and expanding export opportunities.

In this regard, the €1.4 billion investment roadmap presents a timely opportunity to advance mineral value addition, digital innovation, skills development, and private sector growth

On behalf of the Government and people of Uganda, Alupo expressed sincere appreciation to the European Union and its Member States for the five decades of friendship, partnership, and solidarity.

As part of the celebrations, she invited to be joined in a toast: to the enduring friendship between Uganda and the European Union; to the progress the two countries have achieved together; and to a future of even greater cooperation and shared prosperity.

Jan Sadek, the Ambassador of the European Union to Uganda, described the milestone as more than an anniversary, calling it a celebration of people and results built on continuity, dialogue, and trust since the EU Delegation opened in Kampala in1976.

He said 50years is a long time, and what we are celebrating is simple but powerful-a partnership that has lasted, adapted, and delivered.

Sadek pledged to scale up investment in Uganda’s infrastructure, trade and job creation as the two partners marked 50 years of cooperation, promising to back the country’s transition to middle-income status with serious, sustainable investment.

He said EU will remains strong and united in its values as a reliable and predictable partner, emphasizing that our integration- political, economic and social is proof that nations can choose dialogue over dominance. The celebrations were attended by the Rt. Hon. Prime minister Emeritus, John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Nobert Mao and Youth Minister Balam Barugahara among other dignitaries.