British, Indian investors descend on Kampala in push for private capital

KAMPALA, Uganda — A delegation of 25 British and Indian companies arrived in the capital this week to scout for opportunities in manufacturing, renewable energy and agribusiness, marking a high-profile attempt to inject private capital into Uganda’s ambitious economic expansion plans.

The visit, a joint effort by the Westminster Africa Business Association and the South Asian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, comes as the Ugandan government attempts to move beyond a reliance on state-led infrastructure deals. The companies, spanning sectors from mineral development to science and technology, are seeking to establish joint ventures with local enterprises.

The diplomatic push began in earnest last October, when Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja visited the United Kingdom to court foreign investors. Receiving the delegation in Kampala, Ms. Nabbanja emphasized that the government is looking for “outcome-driven” partnerships rather than mere diplomatic formalities.

“These engagements must be well coordinated,” Ms. Nabbanja said. “We must effectively showcase Uganda’s investment opportunities and match investors with credible Ugandan enterprises ready for partnership.”

The mission reflects a shift in how Western and South Asian partners are approaching the region. Lisa Chesney, the British high commissioner to Uganda, noted that U.K.-backed investments in the country already exceed £1.3 billion, with another £1 billion in the pipeline through institutions such as UK Export Finance and British International Investment.

Ms. Chesney urged the visiting executives to look beyond government-to-government contracts. “What we want to see is companies looking beyond infrastructure deals toward business-to-business opportunities,” she said. “Private-sector investment is what will drive tenfold growth, and the potential is enormous.”

The delegation’s arrival follows recent British-backed successes, including a £34 million partnership to finance power transmission and a £130.5 million project for solar-powered irrigation. These initiatives align with a broader strategy to bolster climate-resilient agriculture and green manufacturing in the “Pearl of Africa.”

For the visiting companies, the itinerary includes a dense schedule of policy roundtables and site visits intended to identify projects in solar technology, logistics and agro-processing. The collaboration between British and Indian firms is seen as a strategic advantage, combining the technical expertise of the U.K. with the deep commercial networks and shared history of the South Asian business community in East Africa.