The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) has officially launched the Uganda Connect International Buyers Week, an initiative aimed at boosting international trade and positioning Uganda as a competitive global supplier.
The event was announced at a launch ceremony held at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, ahead of the main Buyers Week, which will take place from November 25–28 at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort under the theme “Meet. Connect. Trade.”
The four-day event seeks to link Ugandan exporters with vetted international buyers, investors, and trade representatives for business deals, factory visits, product sampling, and trade facilitation. A key highlight of this year’s edition is the Uganda Connect Marketplace, an open-access platform showcasing the country’s best export-ready brands through live demonstrations, sampling, and consumer engagement.
More than 50 value-added products across agriculture, manufacturing, services, and technology sectors will be featured. Exporters will interact with buyers through structured Deal Rooms categorized by market region, and participate in factory tours to demonstrate Uganda’s production capacity and reliability.
Speaking at the launch, Odrek Rwabwogo, PACEID Chairman, emphasized the strategic goal of directly connecting Ugandan exporters with global markets.
“We treat Uganda as a company — every company must have a strong sales and marketing department,” Rwabwogo said. “Our aim is to position Uganda’s exporters as professional, competitive players in the global market, generate at least USD 1 billion in export contracts, and address non-tariff barriers that hinder regional and international trade.”
Rwabwogo noted that the Buyers Week will help eliminate “blind trade” and build structured, reliable markets for Ugandan goods and services. He also highlighted its alignment with Uganda’s broader strategy of establishing Trade Hubs and Representative Offices in key global markets across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and Asia.
Matthew Bagonza, PACEID Head of Secretariat, said the Buyers Week represents a practical step in transforming Uganda’s export potential into real market access and sustainable trade partnerships.
“This annual event will showcase Uganda’s export-ready products and services to the world. It’s a practical expression of our mission — turning Uganda’s production capacity into structured and sustained market access,” Bagonza said.
Brenda Katarikawe Opus, PACEID’s Director of Marketing and Communications, highlighted Uganda’s strong export growth trajectory.
“Our export revenues grew from USD 4.8 billion in 2023 to USD 9.4 billion in 2025, and our target is to reach USD 12 billion. Events like this are critical in maintaining that momentum,” she said.
The Chief Guest at the Buyers Week will be President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is expected to officially open the event and address local exporters, international buyers, and investors — reaffirming the government’s commitment to accelerating export-led industrialization and expanding global markets for Ugandan products.
