Uganda and Italy have signed a Development Cooperation Framework Agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and accelerating investment in agriculture, healthcare, urban development, environmental protection and technology transfer.

The agreement was signed by Uganda's Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi, and Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia, Secretary General of Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The signing ceremony took place at State House, Entebbe, and was witnessed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and other government ministers also attended the event.

The agreement provides a framework for the implementation of development cooperation projects between the two countries. It outlines the responsibilities of both governments, project implementation arrangements and procedures for accounting for resources committed to the partnership.

One of the major areas of cooperation is Uganda's coffee sector, for which Italy has proposed €120 million in concessional financing. The funding is intended to support improvements in coffee production, productivity, processing, quality and access to international markets.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja also disclosed that Italy had mobilised €120 million for the coffee initiative, with €60 million expected as the first instalment. The European Union has separately pledged €44 million towards the same sector, according to reports from the delegation's engagements in Uganda.

The cooperation also includes preparations for investments under the Green Cities initiative in Kampala and Hoima, with particular attention to sustainable waste management and the modernisation of food markets.

These interventions are expected to improve urban sanitation, strengthen public health, reduce food losses and create opportunities for local businesses.

Uganda's existing development cooperation with Italy includes approximately €35.1 million in projects, alongside another €19.7 million in proposed initiatives under preparation, according to the figures presented by the Ugandan side.

The ongoing support covers several sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, skills development, environmental protection, cultural heritage, private-sector development and support for refugees and host communities.

Among the existing interventions are €10 million allocated to health infrastructure in Karamoja and €12.75 million under the Prevention, Research and Integrated Services for Maternal, Child and Cancer Health Care programme, commonly known as PRISMA.

Italy's wider development cooperation activities in Uganda also cover education, healthcare, agriculture and environmental protection. The Italian Foreign Ministry has described Uganda as a priority partner for its development cooperation strategy.

The proposed cooperation pipeline is expected to expand into agricultural mechanisation, coffee and cocoa value chains, tourism, science and technology, water management and greener cities.

The partnership is also expected to benefit from Italy's experience in manufacturing, agricultural processing and enterprise development, particularly as Uganda seeks to increase local production and retain more value from its agricultural products.

Speaking during the signing, Musasizi said Uganda's priority was to ensure that the partnership supports the country's Tenfold Growth Strategy, the Fourth National Development Plan and the ATMS priorities.

He emphasised that Uganda wants increased coffee productivity to go hand in hand with local processing, improved quality and stronger access to markets so that farmers and businesses can retain a greater share of the value generated from coffee.

The Finance Minister said investments in waste management and modern food markets would also contribute to better public health, reduced losses and new opportunities for local enterprises.

He welcomed increased bilateral trade and Italian investment, particularly investments that bring technology, skills and production capacity into Uganda.

Musasizi further highlighted the importance of partnerships between universities, research institutions and businesses in transforming innovation into commercially viable products and employment opportunities.

He said the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development would work with relevant government sectors and Italian partners to prepare viable projects, negotiate favourable financing terms and ensure the long-term operation and maintenance of investments.

The signing follows growing engagement between Uganda and Italy in development cooperation, with both countries identifying agriculture, healthcare, environmental sustainability and private-sector development as important areas for collaboration.

Italy's Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia, reaffirmed his country's commitment to the cooperation framework and the strengthening of bilateral relations.

The agreement marks another step in Uganda and Italy's efforts to deepen economic cooperation through development financing, investment, technology transfer and initiatives aimed at supporting Uganda's long-term economic transformation.