Uganda's Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja emphasized the significance of commercial diplomacy at the 3rd Uganda-UAE Business Forum in Abu Dhabi, highlighting Africa's potential for investment and innovation. The UAE is a leading investor in Uganda, with over $3 billion in Foreign Direct Investments across various sectors. Nabbanja met with Emirati officials to discuss economic cooperation and praised the UAE for hosting a large Ugandan diaspora. Uganda's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, John Mulimba, underscored the UAE as Uganda's top export market in the Middle East and advocated for the resumption of Etihad Airways flights to Entebbe.

Absa Bank Uganda, Rotary Uganda, and My Tree Initiative have launched a nationwide school greening programme in Uganda, aiming to plant 120,000 trees across 183 primary schools. The initiative seeks to engage 90,000 students in environmental conservation efforts, promoting climate change mitigation and sustainability. The programme builds on previous successful collaborations, enhancing biodiversity, ecosystem services, and student nutrition. Key stakeholders emphasize the importance of collective action and environmental education in fostering a culture of sustainability.

President Yoweri Museveni met with French investors to enhance economic cooperation between Uganda and France, focusing on infrastructure, power generation, and agriculture. France, Uganda's largest foreign investor, is committed to sustainable development, with 40 French companies operating in Uganda. The Ugandan government seeks to attract foreign investment to stimulate economic growth, particularly in agribusiness, mining, infrastructure, and tourism.

Uganda's Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja hosted a networking dinner in Abu Dhabi for Ugandan diaspora leaders, emphasizing the government's commitment to diaspora engagement and economic development. The event, attended by approximately 150,000 Ugandans, highlighted the contributions of the diaspora to Uganda's development. PM Nabbanja announced financial support for diaspora initiatives and plans to establish a shelter for stranded Ugandans in Dubai. Diaspora leaders raised concerns about labor export policies and passport amnesty, which PM Nabbanja promised to address with President Yoweri Museveni. The UAE Minister of State Foreign Affairs praised the Ugandan community's reputation in the UAE.

Artificial intelligence is poised to transform Africa's healthcare by bridging the gap between patients and doctors, as discussed at the 4th Annual Smart Summit in Kampala. The summit highlighted the severe shortage of medical professionals in Uganda and the potential of AI to improve healthcare accessibility and outcomes. Smart Applications International, a key player in this field, reported significant growth in client interactions and healthcare claims across Eastern Africa. Experts emphasized the importance of partnerships and digital transformation in addressing healthcare challenges.

Equity Bank has been nominated for the Digital Banking Excellence category at the 11th annual Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA) 2024, highlighting its role in digital innovation and financial inclusion across Africa. Other nominees in this category include ABSA Bank, Centenary Bank, Stanbic Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank. The awards ceremony will be held on November 15, 2024, at the Kampala Serena Hotel, with voting open from October 19 to November 15, 2024.

Blue Crane Communications (BCC) has launched the 'Switch to BCC' campaign, significantly reducing internet prices to enhance accessibility and affordability in Uganda. The campaign offers true unlimited internet packages at competitive rates, targeting both home users and SMEs in the Kampala Metropolitan area. BCC aims to capitalize on the growing demand for high-speed internet, with Uganda's internet subscriptions reaching 27 million. The company also provides additional services such as security, ICT, and smart TV solutions, emphasizing quality and customer satisfaction.

Uganda Breweries Limited hosted the Bell ObaFest in Kampala, attracting over 6,000 attendees to promote responsible drinking and environmental sustainability. The festival featured educational campaigns against drink-driving, distributed free water to encourage hydration, and achieved significant waste recycling and repurposing. UBL's efforts were praised for blending entertainment with education, reinforcing safety and moderation.

Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited concluded its Vroomula Amajja campaign, a three-month initiative promoting financial inclusion and digital transactions in Uganda. The campaign rewarded over 6,000 participants with prizes totaling UGX 1.5 billion, including a 2024 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The initiative led to a significant increase in mobile money transactions, supported by Airtel's 5G network and the Bank of Uganda's financial inclusion strategy. The campaign's success underscores Airtel's commitment to enhancing digital financial services in the country.

Centenary Bank and Water.org have launched an $8 million initiative to improve access to clean water and sanitation in Uganda, targeting 13,000 households. The partnership, supported by a $200,000 grant from Water.org, aims to provide affordable financing for water collection systems and sanitation solutions. This initiative is part of Centenary Bank's green financing strategy, which includes environmentally friendly loans. Uganda's Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, emphasized the importance of private sector investment in addressing the country's water crisis.