Uganda Targets Italian Investment as Rome Business Forum Nears

By Kyeyune Ali

Uganda and Italy are set to deepen their economic ties as the Uganda–Italy Business and Investment Forum takes place in Rome on October 13–14, 2026.

The two-day forum will bring together government officials, investors, financial institutions and private-sector players from both countries, with a focus on turning bilateral relations into concrete trade, investment and industrial partnerships.

Uganda’s Ambassador to Italy, Elizabeth Paula Napeyok, said the forum will provide businesses with an opportunity to identify commercial opportunities, establish partnerships and explore investment prospects in Uganda.

Discussions are expected to centre on bankable investment projects, joint ventures, technology transfer and opportunities for Italian companies to establish or expand their operations in Uganda.

The forum will feature business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings, sector-based roundtables, matchmaking sessions and networking engagements.

The Uganda Embassy in Italy is expected to facilitate connections between Ugandan businesses and government institutions and potential Italian investors.

Ambassador Napeyok has highlighted Uganda’s strategic location, natural resources, young population and access to the wider East African and African markets as some of the factors that could attract Italian investment.

Italy has also identified Uganda among its priority African countries for economic engagement, according to the ambassador.

The forum comes amid ongoing cooperation between Uganda and Italy in sectors including coffee, infrastructure, healthcare, trade and investment, with previous engagements highlighting opportunities for Italian companies to participate in Uganda’s development projects.

Held in Rome, the forum will also provide Italian interpretation for participants. Organisers say the focus will be on converting discussions into actual commercial partnerships, investment commitments and technology-transfer opportunities.

For Uganda, the forum presents an opportunity to position the country as not only a market for foreign products, but also a production and investment hub serving East Africa and the wider African market.