KAMPALA: Uganda has called for increased German investment, technology transfer and private-sector partnerships to accelerate industrialisation and support its ambition of growing the economy to $500 billion (about Shs1,900 trillion) by 2040.
The call was made by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), Dr Ramathan Ggoobi, on Monday during the opening of Uganda-Germany Government-to-Government negotiations, where the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.
Dr Ggoobi said Uganda wanted its longstanding partnership with Germany to deliver tangible economic benefits, particularly through investments that increase production, promote value addition, expand exports and create jobs.
He said the cooperation should align with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and the government’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, which seeks to expand the economy to $500 billion by 2040.
Dr Ggoobi identified agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development and science, technology and innovation (ATMS) as priority areas requiring stronger German investment, alongside skills development, enterprise growth and supporting infrastructure.
“We need to translate our cooperation into increased production, value addition, exports, employment and improved livelihoods,” he said.
He welcomed Germany’s proposed interventions in water security, particularly the River Enyau investment, electricity access in the West Nile sub-region, climate-resilient agribusiness and local economic development.
He also highlighted the SCALE programme, which targets local economic development in northern Uganda, as one of the interventions expected to support communities and stimulate economic activity.
The negotiations also addressed Uganda’s refugee response, with Dr Ggoobi calling for predictable international financing and equitable burden-sharing.
He said Uganda was hosting approximately 2.05 million refugees and asylum-seekers as of September 2026, placing pressure on public services and resources in refugee-hosting communities.
The German delegation, led by Mr Joachim Schmitt, head of the Central and East Africa Division at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, reaffirmed Berlin’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Uganda.
Mr Schmitt said the partnership should be guided by mutual accountability, measurable development outcomes and greater participation of the private sector.
He commended Uganda’s refugee-hosting policy and its contribution to regional stability but acknowledged the growing humanitarian pressures associated with hosting large refugee populations.
Germany also highlighted its continued engagement in climate resilience, regional health security and sustainable development, including the construction of six valley tanks in Karamoja to support water access and resilience.
Mr Schmitt said good governance, transparency, accountability, respect for human rights and a predictable investment environment were important foundations for sustainable development cooperation.
He also called for stronger trade, technology and private-sector partnerships, arguing that mobilising private capital alongside development financing would be important in accelerating Uganda’s economic transformation.
The two delegations further emphasised the need to strengthen regional cooperation, honour existing commitments and speed up project implementation to maximise the impact of development resources.
The negotiations are expected to shape the next phase of Uganda-Germany cooperation, with emphasis on investment, trade, innovation, sustainable growth and improved livelihoods.
Uganda and Germany have maintained diplomatic and development cooperation relations for more than six decades, with Germany supporting interventions in areas including infrastructure, water and sanitation, energy, skills development and economic development.