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In a meeting with the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) on 28^th June 2023, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni called upon the government and people of Serbia to support Uganda’s thriving agriculture sector. He mentioned the country’s potential to feed not only its population but also a larger market, given its fertile lands and the increasing technical know-how of its young people.

The government and people of the Republic of Serbia have been urged by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to assist Uganda’s thriving agriculture sector.

At a meeting with members of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) led by Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo on 28^th June 2023 at the Nakasero State Lodge, President Museveni made the proposal.

He disclosed that Uganda produces practically every agricultural product one can think of, including cereals, nuts, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, and important vegetable oils.

“I’m excited to bring to you Ugandan agricultural items that are organic and fresh with nutrients. Because this is what we eat and what families have been doing for generations, our products are farmed on smallholder farms with great care. The President explained to the government and customers in the market of the Republic of Serbia that they don’t do it purely for profit; rather, they do it because that is their legacy, which is currently significant from a business standpoint.

H.E. Museveni also revealed that the private sector of the nation is gradually adopting large-scale commercial farming to feed the area and the entire world.

In addition, he noted, “We are also in the large emerging market of East Africa and the greater African common market, which is an area of 1.4 billion people now. We are only 45 million people, but we have the ability to feed 200 million people and more given the fertile lands and the increasing technical know-how of our young people.

With more young people consuming, the African market will rank among the greatest in the world in ten years.

Additionally, President Museveni praised His Excellency Aleksandar Vucic for sending Tomislav Momirovic, the Minister of Trade of Serbia, to Uganda to convey a special message and extend an invitation to the Patriotic Republic of Serbia.

“I’m bringing you food and other goods with a group of 60 businesses and businesspeople, who will accompany me. We would like them to collaborate with your businesses to invest more in Uganda’s agriculture industry,” he pleaded.

The fact that the Republic of Serbia had already shown interest in Ugandan bananas, pineapples, coffee, cereals, flowers, and dairy goods made President Museveni delighted as well.

“We commit to offering you all incentives on land, taxes, and access to the larger market of Africa,” he promised.

Since we started our bilateral connections in 1963, we have had enduring links with both of you and the former Yugoslavia Republic. We will continue to use these relationships to help one another. This will advance the interests of humanity, as well as our people and institutions.

In order to facilitate faster economic, tourist, and interpersonal connections between the two organisations, the President has asked Uganda Airlines to establish a cooperation with Air Serbia.

“I invite you to place more orders for our goods through the trade hub we have dubbed Uganda Connect and to visit us. This commercial sector is situated along the waterfront in Belgrade. Please stop by often to experience our cuisine and culture,” he said.

Additionally, President Museveni praised PACEID for fostering value addition and promoting Ugandan goods overseas by fully using the nation’s industrial and export potential.

He said, “I also appreciate the Trade Representative for Uganda, Mr. Bratislav Stoiljkovic, who has worked really hard to establish a new bridge for trade and investment between the private sectors of Serbia and Uganda and contributed to ensure that Uganda’s products reach your retail shop.