Uganda and Serbia are moving to deepen bilateral cooperation across defense, agriculture, trade, and science and technology, as both nations look to significantly expand investment and economic ties. The push for stronger relations was a central theme at a high-level meeting in Belgrade marking the 65th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Vice President Jessica Alupo, representing President Yoweri Museveni at the two-day summit, emphasized that stronger international partnerships are vital to supporting Uganda’s broader economic transformation agenda. The East African nation has set an ambitious long-term goal of growing its economy to an estimated $500 billion.
Addressing delegates in Belgrade, Ms. Alupo called for the swift conclusion of a draft Defense Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding. She noted that formalizing this agreement would provide a reliable framework for increased collaboration between the defense institutions of both countries. Furthermore, she advocated for the establishment of a Joint Permanent Commission to offer a structured mechanism for expanding bilateral trade and investment, noting that substantial room remains to enhance economic exchange.
Bilateral trade between Uganda and Serbia reached €35 million in 2025, according to the Vice President, reflecting a relatively balanced exchange consisting of approximately €17.7 million in Ugandan exports and €17.3 million in imports. Building on this foundation, Ms. Alupo reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to fully implementing existing agreements on trade and agricultural cooperation. This includes an ongoing research partnership between the Uganda National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and Serbia’s Novi Sad Crop Institute focused on the development of non-GMO seeds.
Beyond agriculture and trade, the discussions touched heavily on human capital development and technology transfer. The Vice President urged the continuation of scholarships for Ugandan students pursuing science-related fields in Serbia, alongside deeper cooperation in tourism and investment to accelerate science and technology development back home. She framed these efforts as essential components of Uganda’s strategy to build targeted international partnerships that create domestic economic opportunities.
The high-level gathering in Belgrade also featured prominent regional initiatives proposed by host nation Serbia. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic used the milestone anniversary to urge NAM member states to steadfastly defend peace, the rule of law, and the right of every nation to pursue sustainable economic development. To foster greater unity and collaboration among member states, President Vucic announced three new initiatives: Non-Aligned Digital, the Non-Aligned Movement Film Festival, and an international seminar dedicated to young diplomats from NAM countries.
The summit, which runs through Wednesday, September 2, 2026, brought together senior Serbian government officials and international delegations to commemorate 65 years of the movement. The Non-Aligned Movement formally held its foundational conference in 1961 in Belgrade, which was then the capital of Yugoslavia. As Uganda currently serves as the chair of the movement with President Museveni at its helm, the diplomatic engagement in Serbia underscores Kampala’s active role on the international stage while simultaneously advancing strategic bilateral objectives in trade, security, and agricultural innovation.
