KAMPALA, UGANDA – In a significant move to forge new pathways for industrial growth, the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea-Uganda Business Forum. The agreement, co-chaired by Mr. Jo Jang Ju and Mr. Kim Kyung Su of the Forum, establishes a formal framework for strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing trade, investment, and technology transfer between the two nations.

This landmark agreement is seen by industry leaders as a crucial step towards addressing the current trade imbalance and equipping Ugandan manufacturers with the tools and market access needed to compete on a global scale. Currently, Uganda’s exports to South Korea consist predominantly of raw agricultural commodities like coffee and tobacco. This MOU seeks to pivot that dynamic, creating channels for Ugandan businesses to export higher-value, finished goods to the discerning Korean market.

For Ugandan manufacturers, this partnership unlocks several strategic opportunities:

1. Technology Transfer and Industrial Upgrading: South Korea is a global leader in technology and research-led industrialization—a model UMA has openly admired. This MOU is expected to facilitate access to advanced Korean technology and expertise, particularly in key sectors such as:

• Agro-processing: Adopting sophisticated techniques for food processing, packaging, and preservation to create export-ready products.
• Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics: Leveraging Korean know-how in biotechnology and product formulation.
• Electronics and ICT: Exploring opportunities for component assembly and technical skills development.

2. Access to a High-Value Market: The agreement will work to smooth the path for Ugandan-made products to enter the South Korean market. This involves creating business-to-business linkages, helping manufacturers understand and meet Korean quality standards, and promoting “Made in Uganda” goods through trade missions and joint exhibitions.

3. Investment and Joint Ventures: The Korea-Uganda Business Forum will act as a vital bridge for attracting South Korean foreign direct investment (FDI) into Uganda’s manufacturing sector. This creates immense potential for local manufacturers to enter into joint ventures with experienced Korean partners, bringing not only capital but also invaluable operational expertise and access to global supply chains.

4. Building on Existing Success: This MOU will build upon existing successful collaborations, such as the Korean-funded Youth Startup Academy Uganda (YSAU) project, which has supported young entrepreneurs in partnership with UMA. The new agreement can provide a clear pathway for these promising startups to scale up through Korean mentorship, investment, and market linkages.

The signing of this MOU marks a pivotal moment for Uganda’s industrial sector. By strategically aligning with one of the world’s most advanced manufacturing economies, UMA is opening a new chapter of opportunity for its members, focused on moving beyond raw materials to a future defined by innovation, quality, and high-value exports.