The Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Uganda, H.E Alemtsehay Meseret, has lauded the existing relations between Kampala and Addis Ababa.
Ambassador Meseret made the remarks during a farewell dinner held last Wednesday at her residence in Kololo, a suburb in the capital Kampala.
Her tour of duty in Uganda ends this year.
“After four wonderful years of living and working amongst you, my tour of duty as the Ethiopian Ambassador in this beautiful country and great nation of Africa has come to an end. The very warm welcome I received from my arrival and along my tour of duty, in the Pearl of Africa testifies to the fact that Uganda and Ethiopia have been close friends for a long time,” Ambassador Alemtsehay said.
She also hailed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for his guidance saying, “His exemplary leadership and pan Africanism will always be a source of inspiration for me and all who serve in this country. I have held discussions with H.E to address critical bilateral challenges and together, we have celebrated our breakthroughs. I would also like to commend the commitment of the leaders of Uganda at every level.”
Uganda and Ethiopia enjoy warm relations and have been strategic partners for long, cementing this relationship by signing strategic partnership agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (twenty four) in Water, Defense, Tourism, Education and Security. These agreements have further reinforced and mounted the two countries stands in common regional affairs such as signing of the CFA and increasing the support forwarded to others to sign the aforementioned document.
“In the course of my four years, I have been part of numerous bilateral and multilateral relationships such as civil societies, private sectors as well as non-government bodies and institutions. This is best illustrated by our cooperation with the multiple Ugandan sectors associations in areas of people-to-people relations, business and trade, tourism, and education amongst others,” the ambassador said.
She added, “Throughout my stay, I have had the privilege to be part of multiple high-level exchanges between Ethiopia and Uganda. To name a few; the high level official visit of our President, H.E. Sahlework Zewde (two times), the visit of our Prime Minister, H.E. Abiy Ahmed (Dr.) (once), the visit of our Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen (twice), the visit of the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to Ethiopia (twice), the visit of the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, H. E. Jessica Alupo (once), and the visit of State Ministers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda to Ethiopia (more than once) are to be recalled.”
The event also doubled as Ethio-Uganda Friendship Association night which brings together Ethiopians living in Uganda and Ugandans who show solidarity with Ethiopia.
Explaining the purpose of the association, Ambassador Alemtsehay said it, “was conceived because of brothers and sisters of Uganda who showed their solid support in our days of difficulty and extreme pressure. The association will play an instrumental role in connecting the two people by encouraging commerce and trade as well as displaying the value of unity. It will enhance the future of the two countries in to a transformed society through strong bonds of peace, friendship and strategic development.”
Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Vincent Bagiire who graced the occasion, praised Ambassador Alemtsehay’s work ethic saying she is a ‘smooth operator’ whose actions are ‘extremely effective.’
