STRENGTHENING UGANDA- JAPAN COOPERATION
State Minister for Microfinance @SMusherure yesterday met a Japanese delegation led by Ms. Takahashi Misako, Director General and Assistant Minister for African Affairs to explore opportunities for strengthening cooperation between Uganda and Japan.
She applauded the sustained cooperation through
the bilateral portfolio between the Government of Japan and Uganda.
Musherure said the key sectors such as health, education and the welfare of refugees continue to receive support from Japan.
"I would also like to further state that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has been instrumental in the attainment of major national
infrastructure milestones," she said.
At the centre of the discussion was the Parish Development Model (PDM). As of September 2026, PDM has reached 3,783,108 beneficiaries. Government has capitalised the Parish Revolving Fund with approximately Shs 4.317 trillion, to 10,589 PDM SACCOs across the country
"The programme is therefore no longer simply a small loan initiative. It is becoming an important platform for bringing millions of Ugandans into the formal financial and productive economy," Musherure said.
The Microfinance Minister noted that Uganda's National Financial Inclusion Strategy II, 2023 to 2028, prioritizes physical and digital access, digital financial services, consumer protection, financial literacy and inclusive green finance, and is being implemented at scale through PDM, Emyooga and private sector initiatives.
"Uganda does not only view microfinance simply as the provision of loans but wants to build a sustainable financial ecosystem in which ordinary Ugandans can save, access affordable credit, invest, insure themselves and manage risks to grow their businesses," she said.
"We see an opportunity to combine Uganda's scale and development priorities with Japanese technology, knowledge and investment."
She noted the need to strengthen SACCOs & community based finance through digitalisation of operations, sustainable savings products, internal controls, financial management and training of managers and leaders, drawing lessons from Japan's cooperative experience.
Youth enterprise, innovation and employment was presented as a proposal for a Uganda Japan Youth Enterprise and Innovation Facility combining enterprise financing, technical and business skills and digital technology. JICA has already supported Uganda's start up ecosystem, with 10 Ugandan start ups from seven industries joining an acceleration programme in 2024.
Green and climate finance for micro enterprises was also discussed, including solar energy for rural enterprises, solar irrigation and clean cooking technologies
Ms.Takahashi Misako who was accompanied by H.E. Sasayama Takuya, Ambassador of Japan to Uganda and other delegates outlined Japan's current approach to Africa and Uganda under three pillars of: Realizing Africa as a Continent of Peace; Creating a Virtuous Cycle of Growth between Africa and Japan &
Building, through Co-creation with the next generation, a society in which everyone can experience prosperity.
"We believe that these three pillars of Japan��s diplomacy towards Africa, as
presented by Minister Motegi, are highly relevant to Japan–Uganda relations,she said.
The Japanese Assistant Minister said Japan wishes to promote mutually beneficial cooperation with Uganda across a
wide range of areas, including economy and investment, supply chains including
logistics, regional connectivity, human resource development, science, technology
and innovation.
With regard to the natural resources sector, including critical minerals,she said Japan
wishes to continue dialogue with Uganda with a view to exploring possible areas
of cooperation.
The SUNReC Field School in Yumbe is where learning meets action. 40 Farmers from refugee & host communities are gaining hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture; building a network of local champions for natural resource management.
The 2nd Joint Coordinating Committee Meeting for #SUNReC project convened in Arua. Stakeholders from @min_waterUg , @JICAUganda@OPMUganda and district leaders reviewed first-year progress and approved the Work Plan, towards shared commitment to refugee-host coexistence.
Since access to energy is a daily challenge in Yumbe, #SUNReC is addressing this through sustainable firewood production. It is empowering refugees & hosts to manage their own energy needs while protecting the environment.
We welcomed students from Doshisha University last week. Our Deputy Chief Representative introduced JICA’s work in Uganda.
We hope their two-week stay brings new discoveries, meaningful encounters and memorable experiences! 🌍✨
#JICA#DoshishaUniversity#Uganda
🌱 A new JICA Partnership Program Project begins!
JICA Uganda joined the inception meeting for a new project implemented by Peace Winds Japan, bringing together key counterparts and stakeholders.
We look forward to the journey ahead!🤝
Today marks a historic milestone for agric research in UG!
@NAROuganda@JicaUganda@JapanEmb_Uganda & Kagoshima Uni officially kicked off the groundbreaking DREAM Rice at @NaCRRI
This initiative is pioneering multi-harvest, perennial rice, setting a new foodsecurity precedent.
#HappeningNow! Launch of the *Project for the Development of Ratooning-based Eco-Applicable, Multi-harvest Rice Cultivation System (DREAM Rice)
To a nore resilient and sustainable rice food system in Uganda.
@MAAIF_Uganda@narouganda@JicaUganda@JapanEmb_Uganda
DREAM Rice Project Kicks Off at NARO!
Today at the NARO Secretariat, Prof. Akio Ido, President of Kagoshima University, Japan, joined NARO leadership for the DREAM Rice Project kick-off meeting.
The DG celebrated more than 20 years of Uganda–Japan collaboration, which continues to strengthen rice research and production. Key milestones include:
✅ Upcoming release of two(2) Super and two(2) Basmati rice varieties
✅ Rehabilitation of the Doho Rice Irrigation Scheme, supporting the growth of large-scale rice farming
✅ Uganda’s transformation from a major rice importer to a near self-sufficient producer serving both domestic and regional markets
The DREAM Rice Project opens a new chapter in developing resilient rice varieties, strengthening farmer livelihoods and advancing Uganda’s food security.
@NARO_NaCRRI@JicaUganda
On 28 August, JICA held the ABE Initiative Reporting & Sending-Off Session, celebrating 3 participants heading to Japan and welcoming 2 returnees. Their shared experiences inspired us all.
Best wishes as they strengthen the bridge between Africa and Japan.
#ABEInitiative#JICA
Delegates also visited the reception center to understand how services are managed, from registration to initial support. These site visits were ground for discussions in real experiences, and why sustainable solutions matter.
#PeacefulCoexistence#SustainableReturn
While government and 80+ development partners work to sustain livelihoods, gaps remain. Education is a pressing challenge, limited classroom space makes teaching difficult. Many children are eager to learn, but infrastructure struggles to keep pace. - CAO, Kiryandongo
#ResfugeeResponse Workshop
The delegates visited Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, home to about 168,000 refugees and asylum seekers. They saw firsthand the operations and living conditions, learning from district leaders, UNHCR, and OPM. The reality behind the numbers.
Organisations like @JICAUganda are exerting their effort to contribute to the Global Compact on Refugees, a framework for a durbale solution to refugee situations with international cooperation.- Arifur Rahman, Senior Development Officer, UNHCR
Inclusive policies benefiting refugees and host communities are important. An inclusive approach is what is required in achieving our intended goal.
-Innocent Ndahiriwe, Country/National Coordinator for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Day 2 of the regional workshop on refugees and IDPs.
Today the delegates heard from IGAD, UNHCR, and UNDP, plus district-level insights from Obongi and Moyo. Real stories behind the policies.