On September 23, 2026, Col. Edith Nakalema, head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), met with Swedish Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Anna-Maria Olsson, to discuss investment opportunities in Uganda. The meeting focused on strengthening investor protection and expanding trade and investment ties between Uganda and Sweden. Col. Nakalema assured Swedish investors of government support and mechanisms designed to protect investments and ease access to public institutions.
The Swedish side identified energy and transport as key sectors for increased commercial engagement with Uganda. Col. Nakalema highlighted SHIPU's efforts to address administrative bottlenecks that can frustrate investors by coordinating relevant government ministries, departments, and agencies to provide timely and coordinated support. She also demonstrated the Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP), a digital platform designed to help investors conduct due diligence and connect with relevant government agencies.
Col. Nakalema emphasized Uganda's commitment to creating an investment environment where investors can conduct their due diligence early, access the right government institutions, and receive coordinated support throughout their investment journey. She also noted opportunities for collaboration with Sweden in technology and innovation, particularly in areas that can create employment and strengthen skills among young people.
Uganda's priority investment areas include Agro-processing, Tourism, Minerals, and Science and Technology (ATMS), which the country is promoting to expand production, value addition, and employment. Ambassador Olsson said trade and business remain key components of the bilateral relationship between Sweden and Uganda, with economic diplomacy forming a central pillar of Sweden's engagement with the country.
Ambassador Olsson outlined Sweden's "Team Sweden" approach to commercial diplomacy, which brings together the Swedish Embassy, Business Sweden, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Swedfund, and Sweden's export financing system to support private-sector-led growth. She also highlighted Sweden's creative industries, noting that the country exports about US$500 million in creative arts annually.
The ambassador noted that nurturing talent and investing in the creative economy could create additional opportunities for Uganda's young population. The meeting concluded with SHIPU reaffirming its commitment to supporting and protecting Swedish foreign direct investment in Uganda while facilitating stronger engagement between Swedish companies and Ugandan enterprises.
The engagement between Col. Nakalema and Ambassador Olsson reflects the ongoing efforts to strengthen economic ties between Uganda and Sweden. Both parties expressed their commitment to exploring new opportunities for cooperation and investment, with a focus on sectors such as energy, transport, and technology.
Key points
- Sweden identifies energy and transport as key sectors for investment in Uganda.
- Uganda promotes priority investment areas including Agro-processing, Tourism, Minerals, and Science and Technology.
- Sweden's "Team Sweden" approach supports private-sector-led growth through commercial diplomacy.
