By Caroline Nakire
SHIPU Head Col Edith Nakalema (left) with Swedish Ambassador Anna-Maria Olsson during a meeting at the State House Investors Protection Unit offices in Kampala
Sweden is exploring opportunities to expand commercial engagement with Uganda in the energy and transport sectors, as the two countries seek to strengthen trade and investment ties.
The Swedish Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Anna-Maria Olsson, identified the sectors as areas with potential for increased commercial cooperation during a meeting with the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) head, Col. Edith Nakalema, on Wednesday.
Ambassador Olsson visited SHIPU alongside the Embassy’s Head of Political, Economic and Commercial Affairs, Lotta Segerström, for discussions on investor protection and opportunities to deepen economic relations between Uganda and Sweden.
Col. Nakalema assured Swedish investors that the Government is committed to creating an enabling investment environment and addressing administrative challenges that can delay or frustrate investment projects.
She said SHIPU coordinates with relevant government ministries, departments and agencies to help investors access public institutions and obtain timely support.
“We are committed to creating an investment environment where investors can conduct their due diligence early, access the right government institutions and receive coordinated support throughout their investment journey,” Nakalema said.
She demonstrated the Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP), a digital platform designed to enable investors to conduct due diligence and connect with relevant government agencies before committing their resources.
Nakalema also encouraged Swedish investors to explore Uganda’s priority investment areas, including agro-processing, tourism, minerals, and science and technology, which Government is promoting to increase production, value addition and employment.
Col Nakalema addressing Swedish Ambassador Anna-Maria Olsson and her delegation during a meeting
She said Uganda also sees opportunities to collaborate with Sweden in technology and innovation, particularly in areas that can create employment and strengthen skills among young people.
“We also see significant opportunities to work with Sweden on technologies and innovations that can support sustainable employment and skills development for Uganda’s young population,” she said.
Ambassador Olsson said trade and business remain important components of the bilateral relationship between Sweden and Uganda, with economic diplomacy forming a central pillar of Sweden’s engagement with the country.
She explained that Sweden uses a “Team Sweden” approach to commercial diplomacy, bringing together the Swedish Embassy, Business Sweden, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Swedfund and Sweden’s export financing system to support private-sector-led growth.
The ambassador also highlighted Sweden’s creative industries, noting that the country exports about US$500 million in creative arts annually.
She said Uganda could draw lessons from Sweden’s experience by nurturing talent and investing in the creative economy, which could create additional opportunities for young people.
The meeting concluded with SHIPU reaffirming its commitment to supporting and protecting Swedish foreign direct investment in Uganda while facilitating stronger engagement between Swedish companies and Ugandan enterprises.