![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ugdiplomat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/HBguhFaWEAA15yf.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe European Union has officially launched celebrations to mark 50 years of diplomatic presence and partnership in Uganda, highlighting over \u20ac5 billion in development cooperation and a rapidly expanding trade relationship between the two sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking at a press briefing in Kampala on Thursday, EU Ambassador to Uganda Jan Sadek described the milestone as \u201cnot about a number, but about people and results,\u201d underscoring five decades of cooperation since the EU Delegation opened in Uganda in 1976.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPartnerships matter \u2013 especially long-term ones,\u201d Sadek said, noting that the relationship has endured political and economic shifts both in Uganda and across Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amb. John L. Mugerwa, Head of the International Legal and Social Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda, represented the Government of Uganda at the engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was accompanied by Ms Margaret Kafeero, Head of Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Union has officially launched celebrations to mark 50 years of diplomatic presence and partnership in Uganda, highlighting over \u20ac5 billion in development cooperation and a rapidly expanding trade relationship between the two sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking at a press briefing in Kampala on Thursday, EU Ambassador to Uganda Jan Sadek described the milestone as \u201cnot about a number, but about people and results,\u201d underscoring five decades of cooperation since the EU Delegation opened in Uganda in 1976.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPartnerships matter \u2013 especially long-term ones,\u201d Sadek said, noting that the relationship has endured political and economic shifts both in Uganda and across Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amb. John L. Mugerwa, Head of the International Legal and Social Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda, represented the Government of Uganda at the engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was accompanied by Ms Margaret Kafeero, Head of Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amb. John L. Mugerwa (L), Head of the International Legal and Social Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda, with Ms Karolina Hedstr\u00f6m, Head of Cooperation at the EU in Uganda<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the past half-century, the EU has invested more than \u20ac5 billion in development cooperation across Uganda. In addition, European private sector investment is estimated at another \u20ac5 billion, reflecting growing confidence in Uganda\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ambassador said the combination of public development financing and private enterprise has supported infrastructure, health, education, governance, and refugee-hosting communities, while strengthening job creation and economic resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Northern Uganda, the EU played a key role in post-conflict recovery through initiatives such as the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda, supporting reconstruction, livelihoods, and local governance systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EU\u2019s footprint is visible in major infrastructure projects, including the Kampala Northern Bypass and key road corridors such as Mbarara\u2013Katuna and Atiak\u2013Laropi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the EU\u2019s Global Gateway strategy, cooperation is now focused on sustainable infrastructure and green growth. A flagship project is the rehabilitation of the Nalubaale\u2013Kiira hydropower complex, backed by a \u20ac30 million EU grant aimed at unlocking further financing from the European Investment Bank and partners. Phase one is expected to begin in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EU Deputy Head of Mission Ambassador Guillaume Chartrain (C) takes nots as Ambassasor Jadek speaks<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sadek emphasized that Global Gateway investments are designed for \u201clong-term impact\u201d rather than short-term visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trade between Uganda and the EU has expanded significantly in recent years. Uganda benefits from duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market under the Everything But Arms initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures shared at the briefing, Ugandan exports to the EU have nearly tripled since 2019 \u2014 rising from approximately \u20ac500 million to \u20ac1.5 billion. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, exports grew by 58%, with Uganda maintaining a positive trade balance with the EU since 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coffee remains a flagship export to Europe, with EU-backed initiatives supporting quality improvement, certification, traceability, and climate resilience. Ambassador Sadek said the focus is increasingly on value addition and higher incomes for farmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also welcomed the recent authorization allowing exports of Ugandan farmed finfish and related products to the EU market, calling it a sign of confidence in Uganda\u2019s standards and regulatory systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond trade and infrastructure, the EU continues to invest in education and youth opportunities through Erasmus+ scholarships and academic exchanges. A European Union\u2013Uganda Study Fair is scheduled for June 4 at Makerere University to connect students with European institutions and scholarship opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EU also reaffirmed its support for governance reforms, civil society, gender equality initiatives, and social inclusion programmes, including efforts to create safer learning environments and combat gender-based violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 50-year celebrations will extend beyond Kampala, with events planned around Europe Day in May and participation in major national expos. Ambassador Sadek also announced plans to take part in the Virunga Gorilla Marathon in Kisoro as part of efforts to link tourism, climate action, and community engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EU Delegation is also compiling stories, images, and archival materials for a commemorative coffee table book and exhibition documenting five decades of partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are proud of what has been achieved \u2013 and even more energised by what is possible next,\u201d Sadek said. \u201cThe next chapter will be written together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The golden jubilee comes as Uganda continues to play an increasingly prominent regional and global role, including chairing the Non-Aligned Movement, reinforcing the strategic importance of EU\u2013Uganda relations moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Editor:msserwanga@gmail.com<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The European Union has officially launched celebrations to mark 50 years of diplomatic presence and partnership in Uganda, highlighting over \u20ac5 billion<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16875,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[65],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HBgugijWAAEomOm-1.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":17078,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/european-union-celebrates-50-years-of-diplomatic-relations-with-uganda\/","url_meta":{"origin":16873,"position":0},"title":"European Union Celebrates 50 Years Of Diplomatic Relations With Uganda","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"May 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The vice president told the European Union Diplomatic Corps, that Uganda remains steadfast in its pursuit of middle-income status under Vision 2040. The Vice President Jessica Alupo has reaffirmed Uganda\u2019s readiness to deepen cooperation with the European Union in areas that promote sustainable investment, technology transfer, and shared prosperity. She\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/eu.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/eu.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/eu.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/eu.jpg 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16820,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/over-50-years-of-partnership-european-union-and-uganda-developing-together\/","url_meta":{"origin":16873,"position":1},"title":"Over 50 Years of Partnership: European Union and Uganda, Developing Together","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"April 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By JAN SADEK This year, the European Union and the Republic of Uganda mark a significant milestone: 50 years of European Union presence and partnership in Uganda. Over five decades, this relationship has grown in depth, scale and ambition, accompanying Uganda through profound transformation while the European Union itself evolved\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Jan-Sadek-addressing-the-gathering.webp","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Jan-Sadek-addressing-the-gathering.webp 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Jan-Sadek-addressing-the-gathering.webp 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Jan-Sadek-addressing-the-gathering.webp 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11620,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/uganda-beats-the-worlds-largest-market-europe-in-bilateral-trade\/","url_meta":{"origin":16873,"position":2},"title":"Uganda beats the world\u2019s largest market; Europe in bilateral trade","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"March 5, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Uganda now exports more to the EU than it imports, marking a historic trade milestone. Shift attributed to reduced machinery imports and increased coffee sales to Europe. EU-Uganda trade sees Uganda earn \u20ac800 million, surpassing EU's \u20ac700 million earnings for the first time. Revenue from Uganda's exports to the European\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Trade"","block_context":{"text":"Trade","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/trade\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/R-1.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/R-1.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/R-1.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/R-1.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/R-1.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14049,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/eu-germany-commit-shs-25bn-to-boost-ugandas-mining-sector\/","url_meta":{"origin":16873,"position":3},"title":"EU, Germany Commit Shs 25bn to Boost Uganda\u2019s Mining Sector","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"March 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Zulfah Namatovu The European Union (EU) and the German government have pledged Shs 25 bn to support Uganda\u2019s mining sector, aiming to enhance sustainability, competitiveness, and investment attractiveness. The commitment was announced at the launch of the Sustainable Development of the Mining Sector Project at Speke Resort Munyonyo. Speaking\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Minerals, National Development"","block_context":{"text":"Minerals, National Development","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/minerals-national-development\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ene-scaled.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ene-scaled.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ene-scaled.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ene-scaled.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ene-scaled.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14624,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/president-museveni-meets-german-envoy-amid-kampala-berlin-diplomatic-tensions\/","url_meta":{"origin":16873,"position":4},"title":"President Museveni Meets German Envoy Amid Kampala-Berlin Diplomatic Tensions","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"June 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Uganda\u2019s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday held a diplomatic strategic meeting with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Uganda, Matthias Schauer, at State Lodge Nakasero, following tensions between Kampala and Berlin. The closed-door meeting came on the heels of public accusation of the German envoy that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250614_100057.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250614_100057.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250614_100057.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250614_100057.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/20250614_100057.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pc0aOV-4o9","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16873"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16876,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16873\/revisions\/16876"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\u20ac10 Billion Combined Investment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Major Infrastructure and Energy Projects<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ugdiplomat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/HBgug1iXsAAU_Pl.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\nTrade Nearly Triples Since 2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Education, Governance and Inclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ugdiplomat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/HBguhNUWwAA6duZ.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNationwide Celebrations Planned<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n