The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) has officially announced the Uganda Connect International Buyers’ Week (UCIBW) 2026, as Uganda intensifies efforts to expand access to global markets.
The announcement was made during a press briefing held at Kampala Hotel in Kampala, launching Uganda’s flagship international trade promotion programme scheduled for November 9–15, 2026, at the Speke Resort Convention Centre, Munyonyo.
The week-long event will bring together verified international buyers, investors, trade representatives, exporters, development partners, and government agencies to create new export opportunities for Ugandan businesses.
Under the theme “MEET. CONNECT. TRADE,” the programme will feature business-to-business meetings, investment roundtables, sector-specific deal rooms, factory visits, product demonstrations, and tourism experiences.
PACEID said the initiative is designed to expand market access, generate export contracts, strengthen buyer confidence in Uganda’s production capacity, and position the country as a preferred destination for trade, investment, and tourism.
Building on the success of the 2025 Uganda Connect International Buyers’ Week, which generated more than USD 1.5 million in export contracts, the 2026 edition targets increased participation of verified international buyers and Ugandan exporters, with a goal of facilitating at least 20 export transactions worth over USD 3 million.
Speaking at the launch, PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo said the Buyers’ Week demonstrates Uganda’s commitment to creating markets before expanding production.
“The prosperity of any nation begins with markets. Uganda Connect International Buyers’ Week is our deliberate strategy to bring verified international buyers to Uganda, allowing them to experience our products, meet our producers and build long-term commercial relationships. We are moving away from speculative trade towards demand that creates sustainable jobs, attracts investment and grows household incomes,” Rwabwogo said.
He said the initiative is central to Uganda’s export-led industrialisation agenda, noting that businesses succeed when they first establish demand for their products.
“We have always said that Uganda must be managed with the discipline of a successful enterprise. Every successful company invests in finding customers before expanding production,” he said.
Rwabwogo added that government’s responsibility is to open markets for Ugandan businesses, strengthen standards, improve infrastructure, and unlock financing opportunities.
“When demand grows, farmers produce more, factories expand, logistics improve and the entire economy benefits,” he said.
He further noted that the event would help strengthen Uganda’s global reputation by allowing international buyers to experience the country’s products, hospitality, and investment opportunities.
“Every international buyer who visits Uganda becomes a witness to our quality, our hospitality and our investment potential. Buyers’ Week is therefore not simply about signing contracts; it is about building confidence in Uganda as a trusted trading partner and positioning our country as the gateway to business in the region,” Rwabwogo said.
PACEID Markets Director Katarikawe Opus Brenda described the programme as a platform where production meets opportunity and long-term business relationships are built.
“Uganda Connect International Buyers’ Week is where production meets opportunity, and where relationships are developed. Every buyer who comes to Uganda leaves as an ambassador,” she said.
In addition to unveiling the 2026 Buyers’ Week, PACEID also released its Half-Year Performance Report for January–June 2026, highlighting progress in advancing Uganda’s export agenda through market development, standards and compliance, export infrastructure, export financing, communications, and strategic partnerships.
The report outlines priorities for the second half of the year, including accelerating market access, converting trade leads into export orders, strengthening Uganda Connect Trade Hubs, and deepening partnerships that enhance Uganda’s competitiveness in international markets.
The announcement also marks the start of the national exporter onboarding and buyer recruitment campaign, while outlining opportunities for sponsors and strategic partners ahead of the event.
Between July and October, PACEID will implement an exporter readiness programme to prepare Ugandan businesses for international markets through training in export compliance, branding, trade negotiations, buyer engagement, and market-specific requirements.
