By - Reporter
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MOGADISHU, 20 October 2026 Somalia on Tuesday welcomed a 35-member delegation from Uganda comprising government officials and business representatives ahead of talks aimed at deepening trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Somalia’s ambassador to Uganda, Fardowso Mohamed Kanyare, welcomed the delegation ahead of the Somalia-Uganda Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), scheduled to take place in Mogadishu on 21–22 October.
Ugandan officials expressed appreciation for the reception, describing Somalia as a second home and saying they looked forward to productive discussions.
“On behalf of our delegation, I want to thank you for the warm welcome to Mogadishu, which is our second home,” said Richard Kabonero, Uganda’s head of regional economic cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Kabonero said the delegation included representatives from the government and private sector and expressed hope that the meeting would strengthen the countries’ longstanding ties.
The commission will review decisions reached at previous meetings and identify opportunities for further cooperation, Uganda’s delegation said.
Anne Babinaga, head of public diplomacy at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the talks would focus on economic and commercial diplomacy, including agro-processing, tourism, trade, mineral development and opportunities for private businesses.
“The purpose for today’s joint permanent commission is to follow up on the decisions that were agreed in the very first one and the second one,” Babinaga said.
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She said previous meetings in Kampala had sought to promote the interests of both countries through bilateral cooperation.
Babinaga said Uganda had business links in Somalia and that a large Somali community lived in Uganda, with people engaged in education, trade and employment.
She also highlighted Somalia’s coastline, which she said stretched for about 3,333 kilometres, and its ports as potential opportunities for regional trade. She noted that Somalia was relatively close to Mombasa, a major regional trading port.
Babinaga encouraged traders to explore business opportunities in Somalia, describing the visit as the third time the delegation had travelled to Mogadishu for trade-related negotiations.
She also welcomed Somalia’s acceptance of Uganda Airlines’ designation to operate flights to Mogadishu, saying the airline flew to the Somali capital four times a week.
Kanyare said previous JPC meetings were held in Kampala in 2022 and 2025, with a larger meeting planned for 2027.
The official programme lists cooperation in labour, air services, defence training and education, health, statistics, customs and standards among the areas for discussion. A business forum and joint exhibition will also accompany the commission meeting.
The programme includes plans for a bilateral labour agreement and a joint declaration.