Uganda and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their long-standing partnership, drawing on a history that stretches back more than half a century. The reaffirmation came during the 95th Saudi Cultural Day celebrations held in Kampala yesterday, where leaders from both sides reflected on decades of cooperation while outlining fresh opportunities for trade, education, and diplomacy.
The foundation of Uganda–Saudi relations can be traced to 1972, when a Saudi delegation visited Buganda and signed a pact promoting peace and security between the two kingdoms. At the time, Uganda was under President Idi Amin, whose ties with Arab states deepened after the expulsion of Asians that same year. Saudi Arabia, as a key player in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), became an early partner in Uganda’s quest for international recognition and support.
Though Uganda underwent turbulent political changes in the decades that followed, including years of civil conflict and economic decline, the relationship with Riyadh endured. By the time President Yoweri Museveni launched his economic reforms in the late 1980s, Saudi Arabia had emerged as both a diplomatic ally and a development partner through the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
Speaking at the Kampala event, Uganda’s Ambassador and Presidential Advisor on Middle East Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Ahmad Kisule, commended Saudi Arabia’s continued support, especially through IsDB funding.
“We sincerely appreciate the support rendered to Uganda through the Islamic Development Bank. It has enabled us to achieve significant progress, particularly in infrastructure and education,” he said.
Uganda recently secured nearly Shs 1.03 trillion ($295 million) in IsDB financing. The money has gone into school construction, scholarships, and social transformation programs that directly impact communities. Saudi scholarships have also enabled Ugandan students to study abroad, bolstering the country’s human capital.
Analysts note that these education programs are strategic, producing skilled professionals who can serve Uganda’s development agenda while fostering people-to-people ties between the two nations.
Expanding Trade and Agriculture
Beyond aid and finance, Kampala is now positioning itself for deeper commercial engagement. Dr. Kisule revealed that Uganda is negotiating new bilateral agreements to increase exports of coffee, dairy, and other agricultural products to Gulf markets.
Officials credited the Saudi-Uganda Business Council for laying the groundwork. “We see great potential in expanding agricultural trade with Saudi Arabia,” Dr. Kisule said. “This will not only boost exports but also contribute to regional integration, allowing East African products to access wider Middle Eastern markets.”
Ugandan economists argue that if effectively implemented, such deals could reduce the country’s over-reliance on traditional European buyers, while tapping into the Gulf’s fast-growing demand for food imports. However, challenges remain in meeting quality standards, improving logistics, and competing with established suppliers like Ethiopia and Kenya.
Labour Migration and Remittances
Labour migration continues to be another cornerstone of Uganda–Saudi relations. Thousands of Ugandans are currently employed in Saudi Arabia, working in domestic service, construction, and health care. Their remittances form a vital economic lifeline, with Bank of Uganda figures showing that remittances from the Middle East contribute hundreds of millions of dollars annually to household incomes.
Yet the program has not been without controversy. Reports of abuse and exploitation of domestic workers have sparked debate at home. Dr. Kisule acknowledged these challenges but insisted Uganda remains committed to protecting workers’ rights through bilateral labour agreements. “Our goal is to ensure that the revenue they generate benefits both their families and our national development,” he said.
Diplomacy and Shared Vision for Peace
At the same gathering, the Saudi envoy to Uganda, Mohammed Bin Khalil Faroudah, stressed the Kingdom’s global diplomatic role, particularly in the Middle East peace process.
“The two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state are not just aspirations but fundamental rights,” Faroudah said. “Their practical implementation is imperative for enduring peace.”
Observers say Saudi Arabia’s emphasis on peace, coupled with its expanding development footprint in Africa, underscores a dual strategy: securing global diplomatic influence while deepening south–south cooperation.
A Partnership Looking Ahead
As Uganda looks to diversify its economy and expand its global partnerships, Saudi Arabia’s role as a financier, employer, and trading partner is expected to grow. From the 1972 friendship pact in Buganda to today’s wide-ranging engagements, the two nations have cultivated a relationship that blends history with future aspirations.
For Uganda, the next challenge will be translating this goodwill into concrete economic gains — ensuring that investments, trade deals, and labour migration agreements deliver tangible benefits for ordinary citizens. For Saudi Arabia, the partnership offers a foothold in East Africa, a region of growing strategic importance in both trade and diplomacy.
In Kampala yesterday, the mood was both celebratory and forward-looking: a recognition that this decades-old friendship still has much to offer in the years ahead.
