President Yoweri Museveni has received credentials of 7 newly appointed envoys to Uganda at separate ceremonies held yesterday afternoon at State House, Entebbe.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sam Kuteesa, witnessed the ceremonies.
The new Ambassadors and High Commissioners are from Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Morocco, Ireland and Portugal.
He welcomed the envoys to Uganda and assured them of the NRM Government’s commitment to ensuring that they are enabled to execute their respective mandates during their tour of duties in Uganda.
President Museveni who first received the credentials of the Kenyan High Commissioner, Mr. Julius Kiema Kalonzo, commended the increasing volume of trade between the 2 East African Community members.
Uganda has in the past year exported more goods to Kenya and in the month of January this year, Uganda’s exports to Kenya amounted to 18 billion Kenya Shillings while Kenya’s exports to Uganda stood at 8 billion Kenya Shillings.
The new IIrish Ambassador, Mr. William John Carlos conveyed greetings from the President Michael D.
Higgins to President Museveni; He commended the President and the government of Uganda for the warm hospitality accorded to refugees.
“Uganda has done a very commendable job taking in refugees from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said.
President Museveni said that the people coming from South Sudan and the DRC are part of the local tribes in Uganda and are not likely to get a cultural shock during the presence in the country.
He said the only challenge Uganda is facing is logistics to cater for the welfare of the refugees.
President Museveni and the new Tanzanian High Commissioner, Dr. Aziz Ponary Mlima called for more infrastructure projects between the 2 neighbouring EAC members.
President Museveni used the occasion to once again express his sincere condolences to the people of Tanzania upon the loss of lives after the tragic accident on Lake Victoria last week where MV Nyerere ferry capsized drowning over 100 people.
Later, the President received the letters of credence of the new Moroccan envoy, Mr. Abdelilah Benryane who commended President Museveni’s leadership and vision of economic independence.
The envoy disclosed that Morocco looks forward to signing bilateral agreements with Uganda on education, investment, political consultation, health and sanitation and agriculture.
The new Malawi High Commissioner, Agrina Mussa conveyed to President Museveni and to the people of Uganda greetings from President Peter Mutharika.
The new Portuguese Ambassador, Mr. Antonio Gaspar Inocenio, commended the Government of Uganda for welcoming refugees. The envoy called for more cooperation between Uganda and Portugal in the tourism sector.
President Museveni and the new Mozambican High Commissioner, Mr. Bernardo Constantino, reminisced about the liberation struggle in Mozambique by the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO).
High Commissioner Constatino also conveyed greetings from President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique.