Diplomatic relations were established on 9 October 1962 directly after Uganda had become an independent state.

Germany enjoys a very positive image in Uganda, particularly thanks to state and private development cooperation, which has been in place since 1964. This focuses on renewable energies and energy efficiency, promotion of civil society, and agriculture and rural development. Another priority is Germany’s engagement for the protection of Lake Victoria and other water resources.

Uganda harbours more than 1.5 million refugees, making it currently the biggest host country in Africa. According to the United Nations, around 4 million people in Uganda require humanitarian assistance. The German Government is providing political, financial and personnel support in this situation. The priority is to meet the needs of refugees by providing emergency shelters, clean water and food.

The German Government supports the work of political foundations (the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung have offices in the capital Kampala), churches and non-governmental organisations. In addition, around 100 associations and initiatives in Germany support projects in Uganda.

In 2020, bilateral trade between Uganda and Germany was worth around 235.8 million US dollars. Uganda’s main exports to Germany are coffee, gold, tea and fish. Its main imports from Germany are machinery and chemical products. Uganda is open to direct foreign investment. Several German enterprises operate successfully in the country.

Demand for German tuition in Uganda is growing. The Ugandan-German Cultural Society, which was founded in 1989, has been accredited as a Goethe-Zentrum since 2008, offering German courses and language examinations. The Goethe-Zentrum also organises exhibitions and other events as well as artist exchanges. The German Academic Exchange Service awards annual scholarships, promotes university cooperation and seconds a lector to Makerere University. German is on the curricula of fourteen schools in Uganda, including two PASCH schools (members of the initiative Schools: Partners for the Future).