A groundbreaking investment and trade event held in Bradford has sparked a series of new partnerships and economic opportunities between businesses in West Yorkshire and Uganda, laying the foundation for long-term collaboration across commerce, culture, tourism and sport.
The Bradford-Uganda Investment Promotion Event, held at the Midland Hotel on 28 April 2025, was co-hosted by the Uganda High Commission and convened by Dr Manoj Joshi MBE DL. It marked the first official visit to the city by Her Excellency Nimisha J. Madhvani,
Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK, alongside a senior delegation including Ramathan Ggoobi, Uganda’s Permanent Secretary to the Treasury.
More than 90 guests attended from across the UK—including leaders in business, sport, interfaith, media and the arts—demonstrating Bradford’s growing influence as a multicultural city with global reach.
The event has already yielded a number of promising outcomes for Bradford-based organisations:
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Bradford Bulls Rugby League Club opened discussions to support the Uganda National Netball Team.
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Regal Food Products PLC and DBA Foods explored collaborations with From Grandma’s Gardens, a Ugandan agribusiness specialising in dried fruit.
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DBA Foods also expressed interest in exporting stock cubes and ready-to-drink beverages to Uganda.
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ICS Catering is looking at opportunities to import fish from Uganda.
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Five delegates confirmed travel on the inaugural Uganda Airlines flight from London Gatwick to Entebbe—offering an early boost to tourism links.
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Nigel Wood CBE, Chairman of the UK Rugby League Association, committed to visiting Uganda to explore wider sporting collaboration, including rugby, football, and netball.
Dr Manoj Joshi, a long-standing resident of Bradford who has tirelessly championed community cohesion and global investment, said the event was a “full-circle moment”:
“This wasn’t just about conversation; it was about action. The fact that delegations are already planning travel, business partnerships are forming, and discussions are progressing shows how ready both Uganda and Bradford are to do business and create value. It was personal for me—having roots in Uganda and a life built in Bradford—to see both communities connect so meaningfully.”
Uganda’s High Commissioner Her Excellency Nimisha J. Madhvani praised Bradford’s hospitality and potential, saying: “We were struck by Bradford’s beauty, its diversity, and the entrepreneurial spirit alive in every corner. We are committed to supporting UK-Uganda partnerships and have streamlined our visa and investor processes to make it easy to do business with us. We look forward to welcoming you to the Pearl of Africa.”
Younis Chaudhry MBE, CEO of Regal Foods, shared his optimism: “We’re already in talks to invest in dried pineapple and mango production in Uganda. Meeting Ugandan officials in Bradford, including the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, gave us confidence in the opportunities available.”
The Permanent Secretary, Ramathan Ggoobi, offered strong assurances, highlighting Uganda’s favourable investment climate:
“Uganda is ranked as Africa’s best investment destination with the lowest macroeconomic risk and highest return on investment. Our government is focused on creating a $500 billion economy by 2040.”
Religious and civic leaders also lent their support. The Very Revd Andrew Bowerman, Dean of Bradford, said: “It was inspiring to see Bradford’s diverse communities so well represented, and I commend the Uganda High Commission and Dr Joshi for their commitment to building genuine, meaningful connections.”
The event is part of a wider movement to position Bradford not just as a city of culture, but as a global player in trade, tourism and innovation. Its success underscores the important role local communities and diaspora networks play in shaping international relations.
The Uganda High Commission delegation left with a strong impression of Bradford’s civic pride, culinary scene and green spaces—and, more importantly, a clear appetite from local organisations to develop long-term ties with Uganda.
As the first steps towards new trade deals, sports exchanges, and tourism promotion take root, Bradford continues to prove itself not only as a city of heritage, but one of forward-thinking global ambition—driven by community, connection, and collaboration.
