EU Commits €50m to Uganda Tourism and Conservation
The European Union has announced €50 million (approximately Shs 231 billion) in new funding for conservation and tourism in Uganda, unveiled by EU Ambassador Jan Sadek during the Uganda - EU Partnership Dialogue in Kampala on 14 October 2026. Sadek co-chaired the dialogue with President Yoweri Museveni, noting that European support to Uganda over the past 50 years has totalled an estimated €20 billion, and reaffirming the bloc's intent to remain a reliable development partner.
The EU is Uganda's largest trading partner outside Africa, with annual bilateral trade estimated at €2.4 billion and Uganda holding a trade surplus of approximately €1 billion. Beyond tourism and conservation, the dialogue covered cooperation in agricultural processing, mineral development, and private sector growth, with Ugandan coffee and chocolate identified as priority export products with strong European market potential. Both sides agreed to establish a structured dialogue on improving the business environment and to explore a possible Economic Partnership Agreement to secure Uganda's continued favourable market access. The two delegations also committed to holding the Uganda - EU Partnership Dialogue on an annual basis.
Source: The Patriot