Museveni urges Iran to build Ugandan agro-processing factories
President Museveni asked Iranian investors to process local crops like cocoa and coffee instead of buying farmland.
President Yoweri Museveni urged Iranian investors on Monday, October 26, 2026, to build agro-processing factories in Uganda. He stated that processing local agricultural commodities like cocoa, coffee, and pineapples would create jobs and boost export earnings more than acquiring farmland.
Meeting outgoing Iranian Ambassador Majid Saffar at State House, Entebbe, Museveni proposed a model where Ugandan farmers supply raw materials for foreign-owned factories. Ambassador Saffar expressed readiness to support Ugandan cooperatives and agricultural unions in processing local products to promote trade.
The discussions also covered cooperation in healthcare and education. Museveni advised Middle Eastern countries to move away from identity-based politics to solve problems.
Why it mattersUgandan farmers and agricultural cooperatives stand to gain additional markets and investment in processing facilities.