The European Union has officially launched celebrations marking 50 years of diplomatic presence and partnership with Uganda, highlighting decades of cooperation in development, trade, and people-centered initiatives.
EU Ambassador Jan Sadek 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 in 1976.
“Fifty years is a long time, and what we are celebrating is simple but powerful — a partnership that has lasted, adapted, and delivered,” Sadek said.
Over the past five decades, the EU has invested more than €5 billion (about Shs23.5 trillion) in development projects in Uganda, complemented by an estimated €5 billion in European private sector investment in trade, infrastructure, and industry.
These investments have supported schools, hospitals, roads, energy projects, and refugee-hosting districts.
The partnership has been particularly visible in Northern Uganda, where EU-backed recovery programs helped rebuild livelihoods and governance structures following years of conflict.
EU support also extends to major infrastructure projects, including road connectivity and energy. A flagship initiative is the planned rehabilitation of the Nalubaale–Kiira hydropower complex, backed by a €30 million EU grant expected to leverage additional European financing.
Through initiatives such as the EU–Uganda Forest Partnership, the bloc is scaling up climate resilience, landscape restoration, and sustainable value chains to promote green jobs and environmental protection.
Trade remains a strong pillar of the partnership. Uganda benefits from duty-free, quota-free access to EU markets under the Everything But Arms initiative.
Exports to Europe have grown from approximately €500 million in 2019 to about €1.5 billion in recent years, with coffee as the leading export.
The EU has supported certification, traceability, and quality improvements to increase farmer incomes and value addition.
Sadek also welcomed the recent approval allowing Uganda to export farmed fish to the EU, signaling confidence in the country’s standards.
People-centered programs remain central, with initiatives such as Erasmus+ and other academic partnerships providing Ugandan students opportunities to study in Europe. A major EU–Uganda Study Fair at Makerere University later this year will connect youth with scholarships and universities across Europe.
The EU continues to support gender inclusion, safe learning environments, and governance programs, including civil society and human rights initiatives.
Representing the Government of Uganda, Ambassador John Leonard Mugerwa praised the breadth of EU support and emphasized the potential to deepen trade, investment, and private sector collaboration as Uganda transitions toward middle-income status.
The anniversary celebrations will include Europe Day in May, participation in tourism and energy expos, regional engagements, and a commemorative coffee table book documenting the partnership’s legacy.
“The best partnerships don’t just celebrate history — they use history as fuel. Fifty years on, the partnership is strong, and the next chapter will be written together,” Sadek said.
