Ministry of Trade has launched a major expo in a display of Uganda’s commitment to refugee empowerment and economic integration.

Representing Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Francis Mwebesa, Commissioner for Internal Trade Zackey Kalega unveiled the inaugural Refugees and Host Communities Exhibition 2025 at the Uganda Media Centre on December 9th, 2025.

The event, scheduled for December 12-14 at Motive Grounds in Bugolobi, Kampala, will feature over 300 enterprises from refugee settlements across the nation under the theme, “Exhibiting Innovation and Value Addition Products by Refugees and Host Communities for Business Opportunities and Policy Reforms.”

During the launch, Kalega outlined Uganda’s progressive Refugee Act of 2006, which grants refugees the freedom to engage in agriculture, industry, and commerce. The three-day exhibition signals a bold step toward harnessing the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of over 1.9 million refugees hosted in the country.

“This exhibition is more than a showcase, it’s a testament to our shared prosperity,” Kalega noted.

He cited the government’s 2023 pledge to generate over 300,000 sustainable economic opportunities for refugees and host communities alike, aligning the initiative with the National Development Plan IV’s focus on strategic partnerships for refugee integration.

According to Kalega, attendees can expect a diverse array of value-added products, from artisanal crafts and agricultural innovations to tech driven solutions, all crafted by refugees and their Ugandan hosts. Partners including Soko Uganda, Finn Church Aid, and Centenary Bank are backing the event, providing platforms for trade facilitation, market access, and skill building workshops.

Uganda, Africa’s largest refugee hosting nation with nearly two million arrivals since early 2025 primarily from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan faces mounting challenges amid a funding crisis for humanitarian aid.

Kalega urged the public, private sector, and institutions to engage and explore collaborations noting that the initiatives like this exhibition underscore the country’s open-door policy and innovative approach to self-reliance.

“By exhibiting these innovations, we are not just selling products; we are fostering policy reforms that create lasting business opportunities,” Kalega added.

This exhibition, stakeholders will not only boost local economies but also inspire broader reforms, ensuring refugees contribute to and benefit from Uganda’s growth story.