Strong and growing ties between India and Uganda

The bonds between India and Uganda stretch back over a century, beginning when Indian migrants first set foot on Ugandan soil in the early 1900s. Decades later, as Uganda charted its own path to freedom, the nation's independence leaders looked to India's successful struggle against colonial rule as a beacon of inspiration, ultimately achieving sovereignty in 1962. 

Diplomatic ties were established in 1965, and despite challenges like the expulsion of Indians in the 1970s, their return was welcomed in 1986. The relationshipnow covers politics, defence, economics, trade, culture, education, healthcare, and tourism.

High-Level Visits from Both Countries

This involves top officials travelling abroad to bolster relationships, discuss vital issues, and promote global cooperation, thereby influencing Uganda's foreign policy and international standing through important agreements and partnerships in areas such as trade and diplomacy.

From India:

• India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar visited Uganda in April 2023, meeting with President Museveni and inaugurating the NFSU campus in Jinja.
• A high-level delegation led by Shri Harivansh, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, visited Uganda in January 2024 to attend the 27th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth.
• An 18-member delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industries visited Uganda in October 2024.
• The NPCI International Payments Limited team visited Uganda in December 2024 to discuss the implementation of India's UPI system.

From Uganda:

• Ugandan officials participated in India's Voice of the Global South Summit in November 2023 and August 2024.
• Foreign Office Consultations were held in New Delhi in November 2022.

These visits have helped strengthen ties between India and Uganda across politics, business, education, and culture.

India-Uganda Cooperation and Assistance

The two countries have engaged in fruitful bilateral cooperation and assistance in a wide range of areas, including defence, trade, investment, development, and education, as discussed below:

Defence cooperation: An Indian Military Advisory & Training Team, led by a Brigadier-level officer, continues to be stationed at Uganda's Senior Command and Staff College in Kimaka, with the current team having arrived in May 2023. A MoU between India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Uganda's Ministry of Defence was signed in March 2022. 

Trade and investment: Key Indian exports to Uganda include pharmaceuticals, machinery, and electronics, while Uganda primarily exports coffee, tea, and gold to India. Indian companies have made substantial investments in Uganda across sectors like telecommunications, energy, and manufacturing.

Development cooperation: India provides significant development assistance toUganda through Lines of Credit for electricity and agriculture, as well as infrastructure development support.

Education cooperation: India and Uganda have a strong educational partnership, with Ugandan students studying in India and receiving scholarships. Indian institutions like NFSU are expanding in Uganda, deepening educational ties.

India-Uganda Trade and Investment

INDIAN EXPORTS TO UGANDA

• 2018: India exportedgoods worth $561.82 million to Uganda, while importing goods worth $748.47 million from Uganda.
• 2019: India's exports to Ugandaamounted to $576.62 million, while imports from Uganda totaled $868.37 million.
• 2020: Exports from India to Uganda increased to $655.73 million, with imports from Uganda valued at $745.22 million.
• 2021: India's exports to Uganda reached $694.56 million, while imports from Uganda amounted to $839.11 million.
• 2023: Bilateral trade between Uganda and India reached $1.35 billion, with India exporting goods worth $819 million and Uganda exporting goods worth $534 million.
• 2024: India exported goods worth $455.13 million to Uganda, while Uganda imported goods worth $1.27 billion from India.
• Uganda only began significant exports to India in 2023, with gold worth $635 million contributing to total exports of $728 million, though gold exports fell to $350 million in 2024.

Uganda benefits from India's DFTP Scheme, boosting trade. India exports pharmaceuticals, vehicles, plastics, and more to Uganda, while Uganda supplies vegetables, coffee, and other goods. Since 2004, private-sector cooperation and a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement have strengthened business relations.

India-Uganda Education Cooperation

India has become a popular destination for Ugandans seeking quality and affordable education. The government and private sector offer scholarships and fellowships to Ugandans to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, and research studies in India. India also conducts training courses for Uganda's defence personnel.

Approximately 1,500 Ugandan students are currently studying across all educational institutions in India, with the Indian High Commission issuing around 400 study visas annually to Ugandan students.

The National Forensic Sciences University of India established its first overseas campus in Uganda, which was inaugurated in April 2023 and began operations in March 2024. The Ugandan government allocated 130 acres of land in Jinja for the permanent campus.

India offers 900 scholarships annually for African students across the continent through ICCR under the India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme. Uganda is among the eligible African countries, with the specific allocation varying by year based on applications and bilateral priorities.

Additionally, Ugandan nationals benefit from short-term and medium-term training programs under various ITEC programs of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. These efforts strengthen educational and cultural ties between India and Uganda.

The Indian Community in Uganda

The Indian scatter in Uganda is estimated at approximately 15,000-25,000 people, with Indian nationals and PIOs constituting less than 0.1% of Uganda's population yet contributing a significant part of Uganda's direct taxes.

The Indian community is also culturally vibrant and active, with numerous associations and organisations promotingIndian culture and traditions.

Holi Festival Tradition

The annual 'India Day' eventis a significant celebration of Indian culture in Uganda, attracting thousands of visitors from both the Indian and Ugandan communities.

The Indian community is also committed to giving back to the society they call home, sponsoring heart surgeries for Ugandan children in India, providing assistance to people experiencing homelessness, and organising blood donation camps, among other initiatives.

FAQS

What is the historical background of the relationship between India and Uganda?
India and Uganda share a historical relationship dating back over a century. Indians first arrived in Uganda in the early 20th century, and India's freedom struggle inspired early Ugandan activists in their fight against colonisation. Uganda gained independence in 1962, and diplomatic ties between the two nations were established in 1965.

What are the key areas of cooperation between India and Uganda?
India and Uganda collaborate in various sectors, including politics, defence, economics, trade, culture, education, healthcare, and tourism. Their relations have deepened and broadened over the years, encompassing multiple dimensions of bilateral engagement.

How have high-level visits between the two countries strengthened their ties?
High-level visits, such as those by Indian leaders to Uganda and Ugandan leaders to India, have played a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral relations. These visits have led to the signing of agreements, collaborations, and announcements of financial support and development projects.

What is the status of trade relations between India and Uganda?
Trade between India and Uganda has been steadily growing. Both countries engage in significant bilateral trade, with India exporting pharmaceuticals, vehicles, plastics, and chemicals to Uganda, while Uganda exports vegetables, coffee, tea, and wood products to India.