The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) has officially launched the Uganda Connect International Buyers Week 2026 edition.
According to Odrek Rwabwogo, the Chairperson of PACEID, International Buyers Week is slated to take place from November 9th to 15th, 2026, at Speke Resort Munyoyo, under the theme “Meet, Connect, Trade.”
The International Buyers Week is expected to bring together verified international buyers, investors, trade representatives, exporters, development partners, and government agencies to create new export opportunities in Ugandan businesses through business-to-business meetings, investment round tables, sector-specific deal rooms, factory visits, product demonstrations, and tourism experiences.
The initiative is designed to expand market access, general export contracts, strengthen buyer confidence in Uganda’s production capacity, and position the country for trade, investment, and tourism.
Building on the success of 2025 Uganda Connect International Buyers Week, which generated more than $1.5 million in export contracts, the 2026 edition seeks to increase participation of verified international buyers, Ugandan exporters, and business-to-business meetings, with a target of facilitating at least 20 export transactions with a $ 3 million target.
While addressing journalists on Thursday, July 16th, 2026, at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Rwabwogo said that the buyers’ week reflects Uganda’s commitment to building markets before production.
“The prosperity of any nation begins with markets. Uganda Connect International Buyers Week is our deliberate strategy to bring verified international buyers to Uganda, allowing them to experience our products, meet our producers, and build a long-term commercial relationship. We are moving away from speculative trade towards demand that creates sustainable jobs, attracts investment and grows household income,” Rwabwogo said.
“We have always said that Uganda must be managed with the discipline of a successful enterprise. Every successful company invests in finding customers before expanding production. Likewise, our responsibility is to open markets for Ugandan businesses, strengthen and improve infrastructure, and unlock financing. When demand grows, farmers produce more, factories expand, logistics improve, and the entire economy benefits,” Rwabwogo added.
During the International Buyers Week 2026, PACEID is expected to release it’s half year performance report for January-June 2026. The report will highlight progress made in advancing Uganda’s export agenda across market development, standards and compliance, export financing, communication and strategic partnerships.
The report also outlines priorities for the second half of the year with a renewed focus on accelerating market access, converting trade leads into export orders, strengthening Uganda Connect trade hubs and deepening partnerships that position Uganda competitively in international markets.
The story was written by Edrisa Ssentongo, a Member of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU)
