By Caroline Nakire
ENTEBBE, Uganda | September 29, 2026 — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has asked Japan to support Uganda with road construction equipment for local governments and called for increased Japanese investment in agro-processing and value addition.
The call was made on Monday during a meeting with a Japanese delegation led by Ambassador Takahashi Misako, Director General and Assistant Minister for the African Affairs Department at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at State House, Entebbe.
The President said equipping local governments with dedicated road machinery would improve their ability to maintain and construct roads without relying on equipment shared across different areas.
“I want each to have its own road equipment, the big ones, so that they don’t have shared equipment,” he said.
The proposed machinery includes graders, trucks, compactors and other earth-moving equipment. Uganda would also consider acquiring used machinery provided it is durable and can be repaired and maintained locally.
Uganda has previously procured road construction equipment from Japanese manufacturers, including Komatsu, and is interested in further cooperation in this area.
The meeting also considered direct engagement with Japanese companies operating in Uganda to identify challenges affecting their businesses and possible solutions.
“I would want to meet them as a group, if we could organise. They come here and they tell me the issues they have, so that I can solve them,” President Museveni said.
The President further urged Japanese companies to invest more in agro-processing, saying greater value addition to agricultural products would create employment and expand economic opportunities.
He also acknowledged Japan’s contribution to Uganda’s infrastructure development, including the Kampala Flyover and Karuma Bridge.
“Thank you for the support, like the flyover and Karuma Bridge,” he said.
Ambassador Misako said Japan was considering additional support for the Kampala Flyover and road upgrading projects, including possible assistance towards improving the Kibuye-Busega road.
She said preparations for the reconstruction of Karuma Bridge were underway, with a groundbreaking ceremony expected in November. The Japanese delegation also expressed interest in having President Museveni attend the event if his schedule permits.
“We would also very much like President Museveni to attend this ceremony if the schedule allows,” she said.
The discussions extended to energy, education, healthcare, youth development, refugee support and regional peace and security.
President Museveni receives a gift from Japanese envoy Amb. Takahashi Misako at State House Entebbe
Ambassador Misako reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Uganda in addressing the needs of refugees and host communities, noting the country’s role as a major refugee-hosting nation in Africa.
She also commended Uganda’s contribution to peace and security efforts in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and recalled Japan’s support during Uganda’s Ebola outbreak.
On trade and investment, the Ambassador said 17 Japanese companies currently operate in Uganda in sectors including transport, healthcare, manufacturing and agriculture. Japan, she added, would like to see more companies invest in the country.
“Ensuring a free and fair business environment is extremely important for promoting foreign investment and further advancing Uganda’s economic development,” she said.
Education and skills development formed another part of the discussions. More than 200 Ugandans have studied in Japan through Japanese Government scholarship programmes, while over 4,000 have participated in Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) training programmes.
A total of 846 JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers have served in Uganda, with 37 currently working in different parts of the country.
Ambassador Misako also highlighted the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) as an important platform for Japan-Africa cooperation, noting Uganda’s participation since the inaugural conference in 1993.