Network18’s special panel marking sixty years of Uganda–India relations was more than a diplomatic conversation. It unfolded as a strategic reflection on the past and a confident projection into the future, revealing how a century-old association is now evolving into a partnership shaped by investment, connectivity, and people-driven cooperation.
The dialogue brought together Uganda’s senior representatives, including Her Excellency Joyce Kakaramatsi Kafunda, Honorary Consul Madu Sudan Agrawal, Uganda Airlines Country Head Lenny Malassi, and Honorary Consul Vinodkumar Saragi, each offering a distinctive lens on a relationship ready for scale.
A Relationship Rooted in History, Celebrated in the Present
The India–Uganda story began long before formal diplomacy. When Indian workers traveled to East Africa over a century ago to build the railway line connecting Uganda to the Indian Ocean, they unknowingly laid the foundation of a thriving social and commercial bond. Over generations, that bond strengthened into a vibrant diaspora, and today, nearly 40,000 people of Indian origin call Uganda home.
As Uganda and India mark 60 years of diplomatic relations, the High Commissioner described the partnership as “beyond good… they are excellent because they are built on ancient history, mutual benefit, and mutual friendship.” Her reflections underscored how the missions established in 1965 evolved into a multifaceted collaboration that spans trade, culture, and development.
She highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2018 address to all African parliaments from Kampala, calling it “iconic” and a moment that reaffirmed India’s long-term commitment to Africa. “India has honored all those points,” she added.
Economic Bridges Built Over Generations
From historical connections emerged deep economic ties. As Mr. Madu Sudan Agrawal noted, “Sixty-five percent of the economy of Uganda currently is in the hands of Indian businessmen.” These businesses, many of which have been family-run for decades, represent enduring trust and long-term commitment. He underlines that his own company, Ajanta Pharma, has operated in Uganda for more than forty years, supplying affordable medicines and essential products.
Yet, as trade expanded, an imbalance persisted. Uganda imports machinery, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods from India, while its agricultural exports remain limited. Agrawal illustrated the opportunity starkly: “In India, if you purchase avocado, it is 300 rupees. In Uganda, it is 5 rupees.” Resolving technical barriers could unlock an entire export ecosystem.
Uganda’s economic expansion over the past decade was also highlighted by Honorary Consul Vinodkumar Saragi, who described Africa as “the important growth area” and positioned Uganda as a strategic entry point for Indian investors.
He noted that the government now prioritizes value-added exports across agriculture, textiles, dairy, minerals, and petroleum. “If the investment is big, even 100 acres of land has been given free by the President,” he said, pointing to Uganda’s investor-first approach.
With free repatriation of profits, single-window clearances, and a young English-speaking workforce, Saragi believes the ecosystem is primed for stronger India–Uganda business collaboration.
Uganda’s Strategic Location: A Gateway, Not a Challenge
If economic ties have strengthened the partnership, Uganda’s geography is poised to elevate it further. Often labeled “landlocked,” the High Commissioner reframed it boldly: “We are land-linked.” This shift in perspective reflects Uganda’s strategic access to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan.
This central positioning places Uganda at the heart of Africa’s fastest-growing markets. The East African Community, COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area collectively offer access to more than a billion consumers. Combined with free land for qualified investors, low electricity costs, and a young, English-speaking workforce, Uganda emerges as a compelling frontier for Indian businesses.
“Uganda has a very conducive investment climate,” Her Excellency Joyce Kakaramatsi Kafunda emphasized, drawing attention to the country’s thirty years of peace and political stability.
Connectivity Takes Flight: The Six-Hour Leap Forward
As structural advantages strengthen the investment story, aviation is powering a new era of mobility. Uganda Airlines’ direct Mumbai–Entebbe service has compressed geographical distance and expanded possibilities. What was once a long, multi-stop journey is now a six-hour bridge between two growing markets.
“It opened at the right time,” Lenny Malassi said, describing the surge in Indian travellers seeking new destinations after the pandemic. India has already become Uganda’s fourth-largest source market for tourism. The airline’s interline partnership with Air India creates seamless connections across Indian cities, enabling smoother travel for tourists, traders, and executives alike.
Tourism, in particular, is emerging as a high-growth pillar. Uganda’s landscapes, home to mountain gorillas, tree-climbing lions, freshwater lakes, and year-round pleasant weather, remain among Africa’s most striking. For Indian visitors, the Source of the Nile carries special significance, as part of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed there.
Yet, as Mr. Madu Sudan Agrawal pointed out, “Travel agents never promoted Uganda earlier.” With the “Explore Uganda” campaign and improving connectivity, that gap is closing quickly. Yet awareness has lagged. Supported by the growing interest from Indian tourists and film producers exploring Uganda as a shooting destination.
Looking to 2040: Ambition, Scale, and Shared Growth
Uganda has set an audacious target: growing its economy nearly tenfold from $66 billion to $500 billion by 2040. That’s just 15 years away, requiring sustained annual growth rates that few African nations have achieved.
Four sectors anchor this strategy: agro-industrialization, tourism, mining, and technology. Agriculture employs 70% of Ugandans and recently propelled the country past regional competitors to become Africa’s top coffee exporter. Oil and gas production begins in 2026, two decades after discovery.
The reason we took long is because we wanted it to be a blessing and not a curse, Her Excellency Joyce Kakaramatsi Kafunda explained, referencing the resource curse that has plagued other African petroleum producers. As global interest shifts toward new African markets, Uganda positions itself as a stable entry point for Indian investors seeking growth, diversification, and regional access.
A Partnership Ready for Its Next Chapter
As Uganda and India mark sixty years of diplomatic relations, their partnership feels less like a commemoration and more like a beginning. What started with railway workers has grown into a robust ecosystem of business, mobility, cultural exchange, and humanitarian collaboration.
“We can only go higher,” the High Commissioner said, capturing the optimism that defines the next phase of one of India’s most enduring African relationships.
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