Ugandan businessman Louis Kimuli has called on the government to secure Italian investment for coffee processing, manufacturing, and mineral beneficiation. Speaking at the inaugural Uganda–Italy Business and Investment Forum in Rome, Kimuli argued that the country must move beyond exporting raw materials to capture greater economic value. He emphasized that leveraging existing trade ties could bring industrial expertise and technology to Uganda, enabling local businesses to process and package finished products rather than leaving value addition to foreign markets.
According to Nile Post, Uganda’s coffee sector generated $2.4 billion in revenue from 8.8 million 60-kilogramme bags in the year ending April 2026. Italy remains the largest buyer of Ugandan coffee, accounting for approximately a quarter of total exports, a figure cited by Dr. Gerald Kyalo, Uganda’s Commissioner for Coffee. These statistics underscore the commercial potential for Italian firms to establish roasting, packaging, and soluble coffee production facilities closer to the source of raw materials.
The forum, held on October 13–14 under the theme “Unlocking Shared Prosperity,” gathered government officials, investors, and private sector representatives to explore partnerships in agriculture, energy, and pharmaceuticals. Attendees included Humphrey Asiimwe Rwakagiri, CEO of the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals, and Robert Mukiza, Director General of the Uganda Investment Authority. As part of the investment pitch, the Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotion Authority presented a 1,031-square-metre production facility in Entebbe, highlighting opportunities for value addition and exports to the European Union.
Nile Post notes that converting investor interest into tangible projects will require reliable electricity, affordable financing, and predictable regulations. Ugandan exporters must also meet European market standards for product quality and supply-chain traceability to remain competitive. The initiative aims to create jobs, strengthen domestic industries, and increase export earnings by retaining a greater share of the value generated from coffee, dairy, and minerals.