President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni hosted European Union (EU) ambassadors at State House Entebbe for a Partnership Dialogue aimed at strengthening cooperation between Uganda and the European Union in trade, industrialisation, agriculture and sustainable economic development.
The delegation was led by H.E. Jan Sadek, the European Union Ambassador to Uganda, and engaged the President in discussions on opportunities to deepen economic partnerships and address development priorities.
During the meeting, President Museveni emphasised the importance of supporting African countries to process their raw materials locally, add value to their products and create employment opportunities.
He explained that Africa's economic transformation requires a shift from exporting raw materials to developing industries that manufacture finished and value-added products for domestic and international markets.
According to the President, increased industrial production and higher incomes across Africa would also benefit European economies by expanding the market for European goods and services.
President Museveni stressed that cooperation between Africa and Europe should promote shared prosperity, allowing both sides to benefit from trade, investment and industrial development.
The discussions also covered support for Uganda's Parish Development Model (PDM), which aims to improve household incomes and increase participation in the money economy.
Other areas of engagement included irrigation development, wetland conservation and the need for affordable electricity to support manufacturing and industrial growth.
President Museveni highlighted the importance of protecting wetlands and developing sustainable water resources to support agriculture, while ensuring that industries have access to reliable and affordable electricity.
He further emphasised that Africa's economic progress presents opportunities for international partners, noting that stronger African economies can contribute to increased trade, investment and wider global prosperity.
The President called for cooperation founded on mutual benefit, respect for national sovereignty and a shared commitment to sustainable development.
President Museveni thanked the EU ambassadors for their visit and appreciated the extensive discussions, which provided an opportunity to exchange views on Uganda's development priorities and the future of Uganda–European Union relations.