President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced Uganda’s readiness to launch a food-for-medicine trade deal with Cuba, marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Speaking on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, during a meeting with a high-level Cuban delegation on the sidelines of the 19th Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at Speke Resort Munyonyo, President Museveni said Uganda would begin preparations for the initiative in the next financial year.
“We are ready. We are going to target the next financial year. We are going to start planning, and we shall budget for it,” the President said, affirming the government’s commitment to strengthening trade and health partnerships with Cuba.
The proposed arrangement will see Uganda export food items such as maize and beans to Cuba in exchange for essential medicines and medical supplies. President Museveni noted that the partnership would not only strengthen economic relations but also enhance access to affordable healthcare in Uganda.
The Cuban delegation was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, who delivered greetings and best wishes from Army General Raúl Castro and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. Rodriguez also extended an invitation to President Museveni to visit Havana, emphasizing Cuba’s willingness to deepen cooperation in trade, science, and manufacturing.
Lt. Gen. James Mugira, the Managing Director of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC)—the commercial arm of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)—revealed that initial discussions had already taken place to identify Cuba’s food needs and the specific medical supplies that will be exchanged.
“These supplies will be directed to the Ministry of Health to enhance healthcare delivery and improve the quality of life of Ugandans,” Gen. Mugira said.
President Museveni emphasized that barter trade arrangements like the one proposed with Cuba are part of Uganda’s broader economic strategy to create mutually beneficial international partnerships.
The meeting was also attended by Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation; Hon. Vincent Bagiire, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Juan Humberto Macias Pino, Cuban Ambassador-Designate to Uganda; and Mr. Alberto Amoros Nunez, Head of the Cuban Sub-Saharan Africa Division.
As Uganda positions itself as a key player in regional trade and diplomacy, the food-for-medicine deal signals a pragmatic approach to international cooperation—leveraging the country’s agricultural strength to improve its health sector.
