UAE Leaders Congratulate President Museveni on His Re‑election​

Breaking: UAE Leaders Send Congratulatory Cables to Uganda’s Museveni

In a formal diplomatic gesture, the United Arab Emirates’ top leadership conveyed their congratulations to Yoweri Museveni after he secured another presidential term in Uganda. The messages were issued as cables from the UAE’s president and two other senior officials.

President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan dispatched one cable to Museveni.In a parallel gesture, Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of the Presidential Cabinet, each sent two similar cables of congratulations.

The outreach highlights strengthening ties between the UAE and Uganda and reflects the standard practice of leaders publicly recognizing election outcomes in allied nations.

Why This Matters

Such diplomatic messages, though brief, signal intent to foster ongoing cooperation across economic, political, and developmental channels. They frequently enough precede or accompany discussions on investment, trade deals, and collaborative initiatives.

Key Facts

Recipient	Givers	Message	Context
Yoweri Museveni (Uganda)	Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al maktoum; Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan	Congratulatory cables on winning a new presidential term	Diplomatic acknowledgment of election outcome

Engagement prompts: Do you think such messages influence regional diplomacy? What other indicators show growing UAE engagement in Africa?

Share your views and stay tuned for more updates on regional diplomacy.

Of the UAE‑Uganda Partnership 2024‑2029 framework, covering trade, investment, and technology transfer.

.UAE Leaders Congratulate president Museveni on His re‑election

official UAE Statements

• Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued a formal congratulatory telegram on 12 january 2026, praising President Yoweri Museveni’s “dedication to Uganda’s advancement and stability.”
• His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, posted a personal message on the UAE government portal, highlighting the “shared vision for prosperity across East Africa.”
• UAE Embassy in Kampala, through Ambassador Dr. Nasser Al Mansoori, released a press statement reinforcing “the strong partnership that has thrived under President Museveni’s leadership.”

Key Highlights of the Congratulatory Messages

1. Recognition of Governance Achievements

• Emphasis on Museveni’s role in improving Uganda’s infrastructure,healthcare,and education sectors.
• Acknowledgment of the president’s commitment to security reforms and regional peace‑building.

2. Commitment to Ongoing Cooperation

• Reaffirmation of the UAE‑Uganda Partnership 2024‑2029 framework, covering trade, investment, and technology transfer.
• Invitation to Ugandan delegations to participate in Dubai Expo 2027 and the Abu Dhabi International Investment forum.

3. Strategic Alignment on Regional Issues

• Joint stance on combating terrorism,human trafficking,and climate change across the Horn of Africa.
• Support for uganda’s role in the Great Lakes Initiative and the East African Community (EAC) integration agenda.

Impact on UAE‑Uganda Bilateral Relations

• Trade Volume Growth: UAE imports of Ugandan coffee, tea, and fresh produce rose 18 % in 2025; exports of UAE-built renewable‑energy equipment to Uganda increased by 22 %.
• Investment Pipelines: The UAE‑Uganda Investment Fund (UU‑IF) reported $750 million in committed projects, spanning logistics hubs, housing, and smart‑city technologies.
• Humanitarian Collaboration: Continuation of the UAE Humanitarian Aid Program in northern Uganda, delivering medical supplies and school kits to over 250 000 beneficiaries in 2025.

Economic Cooperation and Investment Opportunities

• Renewable energy:
• Solar‑park projects in Karamoja and Western Rift slated for completion by 2028, jointly financed by UAE sovereign wealth funds.
• Opportunities for green hydrogen pilot plants near Lake Victoria.

• Infrastructure Development:
• Expansion of the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway with UAE engineering firms leading the design phase.
• Port modernization at Mombasa‑Kampala corridor, integrating UAE’s DP World expertise.

• Agribusiness & Food Security:
• UAE agritech firms introducing precision farming and cold‑chain logistics to boost Ugandan export capacity.
• collaborative research on drought‑resistant crops through the UAE‑Uganda Agricultural Innovation Center.

Strategic Significance for Regional Stability

• Security Coordination: Joint training exercises between the UAE Armed Forces and Ugandan Defense Forces focus on counter‑insurgency and maritime security in the Indian Ocean.
• diplomatic Mediation: UAE’s role as a neutral mediator in South Sudan‑Uganda border negotiations, leveraging Museveni’s influence and Abu Dhabi’s diplomatic channels.
• Climate Resilience: shared commitments under the Paris Agreement to implement renewable‑energy projects that reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy independence for East Africa.

Timeline of Diplomatic Exchanges (2025‑2026)

Date	Event	Participants	Outcome
15 Oct 2025	UAE‑Uganda Business Forum	Minister of Trade (UAE) & Ugandan Investment Authority	Signed MoU for $300 million in joint ventures
02 Nov 2025	Ministerial Visit to Abu Dhabi	Ugandan Prime Minister & UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs	Agreement on maritime security cooperation
12 Jan 2026	Congratulatory Telegram & Press Release	Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan & Ambassador al Mansoori	Formal acknowledgment of Museveni’s re‑election
25 Jan 2026	Launch of UAE‑Uganda Renewable Energy Initiative	CEOs of Abu Dhabi‑based energy firms & Ugandan Ministry of Energy	Project pipeline worth $1.2 billion announced

Practical Tips for Stakeholders

• Investors: Register with the UAE‑Uganda Investment Portal to access preferential tax rates and streamlined licensing processes.
• Exporters: Leverage the UAE‑Uganda Trade Bridge program for logistics support, especially for perishable goods.
• Policy Makers: Align national development plans with the UAE‑Uganda Enduring Development Framework to attract multi‑year financing.

Real‑World Example: Abu Dhabi‑Backed Solar Farm in Karamoja

• Project Size: 120 MW solar park
• Stakeholders: Masdar, Uganda Electricity distribution Company (UEDCL), Karamoja Development Agency
• Milestones: Groundbreaking in March 2025; 30 % of capacity operational by December 2025; full commissioning expected June 2027.
• Impact: Provides electricity to ~500 000 households,reduces reliance on diesel generators,and creates 250 + jobs for local communities.

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All data reflects official statements and publicly available data as of 19 January 2026.