In a significant
development, Uganda welcomed a distinguished business delegation from Qatar’s
KON Group, marking a crucial step in strengthening the economic relationship
between the two countries.

 The KON Group
delegation engaged in high-level discussions with Uganda’s Ministers of State
for Tourism, and Kampala City Administration, as well as representatives from
key investment sectors.These productive discussions explored potential
opportunities and collaborative ventures available for Ugandan and Qatari
businesses.

 The visit, which
underscores a renewed focus on fostering economic cooperation and development,
will see the KON Group collaborate with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)
on a project for the Recycling of Animal Waste.During one such meeting with the
KCCA Executive Director, Dorothy Kisaka and her technical team, it was agreed
that KON Group and KCCA will formalize their intent to collaborate on recycling
animal waste. KCCA, KON group and Kanaha Holdings will jointly carry out a
feasibility study guided by the National Environment Management Authority.

 During a meeting with
the delegation, the Honourable Minister for Kampala Metropolitan, Hajjat Misha
Kabanda, welcomed KON Group’s meat rendering proposal and recommended a
technical evaluation which will guide the next step.

The delegation headed by Mr. Mohamed Riad Massani and Ms.
Hissa K. H. Al Sowadi, founders and co[1]chairs of KON Group
Qatar, also visited the Kampala Meat Packers (Abattoir) and interacted with its
management and vendors, during which the KON Group expressed interest in
partnering with the Government of Uganda to source investors for the abattoir
activities and to stimulate the export of Uganda’s meat products to Qatar.

The delegation explored various investment opportunities in
several sectors, including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and waste
management. The KON Group showcased keen interest in various projects across
multiple sectors. In agriculture, the focus was on enhancing Uganda’s
agricultural output through modern farming techniques and value addition. In
tourism, discussions centered on promoting Uganda as a prime destination for
Qatari and Gulf State visitors. While in manufacturing and waste management,
the delegation explored innovative solutions for recycling and sustainable
development. Other areas of interest included the tea and coffee sectors as
well as hospitals’ upgrade and infrastructure development.

The delegation met an elder Mzee Erisa Kakyomya of Kakyomya
tea estate which is based in Fort portal and agreed to help find market for
Uganda’s tea whose prices have lately fallen on the Mombasa Auction mainly due
to war in destination markets of Russia-Ukraine, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Yamen,
Gaza e.t.c hence, the need to find new markets.

A significant highlight of the visit was the delegation’s
meeting with the President’s Advisor and Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth
Creation, Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho, also known as Salim Saleh. During this meeting,
discussions focused on the investment environment in Uganda and the prospects
the country offers in the manufacturing sector. Gen. Saleh emphasized Uganda’s
strategic initiatives to attract foreign investment and the numerous
opportunities available for Qatari investors.

 Gen. Salim Saleh,
emphasized that the proposed partnership aligns perfectly with the Ugandan
government’s initiative to reduce the proportion of citizens with low
disposable incomes, which has already improved significantly from 68% in 2018
to 39% today. He highlighted that a well-aligned and purposeful partnership
could further elevate these efforts, generating substantial income for this
demographic. Additionally, he noted that this collaboration supports the
government’s push for industrialization through value addition to agricultural
products, thereby fostering economic growth and development in Uganda.

The Embassy of Uganda in Qatar acknowledged KON Group’s
strong interest and commitment to partnering with Uganda, highlighting their
recognition of the country’s substantial potential as an emerging African
market.

 During a
familiarization meeting with the Minister of State for Tourism, Mr. Martin
Mugarra Bahinduka, the delegation aimed to boost tourism traffic between Uganda
and Qatar. The Minister highlighted Uganda’s tourism potential and the
available incentives for tourism investors.

 The delegation also
met with officials from NEMA whose which was represented by Ms Kawala Muwereza
and other senior NEMA environment officers.

The KON Group delegation had also met with the Director
General of the Uganda Investment Authority, Mr. Robert Mukiza, who guided them
through Uganda’s investment climate and they agreed to organize a business
conference in Uganda, where Qatari business people will meet their Ugandan
counterparts to explore business and investment opportunities. Additionally, a
similar conference will be organized in Doha, Qatar, where Uganda’s private
sector and relevant agencies will participate.

The Embassy of Uganda in Qatar which was represented by the
Deputy Head of Mission who is also in charge of commercial and economic
diplomacy, Ambassador Mohammed Baswari Kezaala, on behalf of the head of
mission Amb Steven Chemoiko Chebrot who is in Doha on other government engagements,
expressed its sincere gratitude to the KON Group and Kanaha Holdings for their
visit and their commitment to exploring Uganda’s investment opportunities. The
Embassy also thanked the Ugandan Ministers and officials who engaged with the
delegation, fostering a productive environment for collaboration and potential
partnerships.

Source Press Realease