Africa-Press – Uganda. President Yoweri Museveni has reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to international cooperation, peaceful diplomacy and strengthening bilateral partnerships, particularly in trade.
The President said Uganda remains committed to working closely with friendly nations to advance shared development goals and promote regional stability.
He made the remarks at State House, Entebbe, while receiving Letters of Credence from four newly appointed envoys: Kenya’s High Commissioner-designate, Amb. Ababu Namwamba; South Korea’s Ambassador-designate, Sangho Lee; Tanzania’s High Commissioner-designate, Maj. Gen. Marco Elisha Gaguti; and Namibia’s High Commissioner-designate, Gabriel Pandureni Sinimbo.
During his meeting with Kenya’s High Commissioner-designate, Amb. Namwamba, President Museveni stressed that East African countries should eliminate unnecessary taxes and restrictions on cross-border trade to strengthen the East African Common Market.
He said protectionist policies ultimately hurt businesses and ordinary citizens while weakening regional economic integration.
“The United States started with only 13 states but eventually expanded to 50. That large market has made it one of the strongest economies in the world. East Africa should learn from such examples and continue building a strong common market,” President Museveni said.
The President cited Uganda’s decision to continue allowing Tanzanian rice into the Ugandan market despite pressure from local farmers to ban the imports because of their lower prices.
He explained that his government rejected protectionist measures for four reasons.
First, banning Tanzanian rice would have negatively affected Tanzania’s economy by denying its producers access to the Ugandan market.
Second, such a ban would have forced Ugandan consumers to buy more expensive locally produced rice despite the availability of cheaper alternatives.
Third, shielding local producers from competition would discourage them from improving productivity, efficiency and quality.
Finally, he said restricting trade would undermine the East African Common Market, whose success depends on the free movement of goods and services across member states.
President Museveni said genuine regional integration requires member states to prioritise long-term economic transformation over short-term protectionist interests.
Kenya commits to commercial diplomacy
Amb. Namwamba conveyed greetings from Kenyan President William Ruto and reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Uganda.
He welcomed President Museveni’s vision for regional integration, describing the East African Community as the best vehicle for sustainable economic growth.
“Commercial diplomacy is going to be at the top of my priorities during my tenure of duty to promote and increase the volume of trade between the two countries,” Amb. Namwamba said.
He pledged to advocate for the free movement of goods between Uganda and Kenya, saying removing unnecessary trade barriers would benefit businesses and citizens in both countries.
Amb. Namwamba also spoke of his personal ties to Uganda, noting that he hails from Busia County on Kenya’s border with Uganda.
Describing himself as “a Musoga by association,” he recalled that his father worked in Jinja while his mother operated a restaurant in Mengo, Kampala, before the family relocated to Kenya in 1979.
Before his appointment by President Ruto, Amb. Namwamba served as Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts.
South Korea seeks deeper cooperation
President Museveni also received South Korea’s Ambassador-designate, Sangho Lee, who conveyed greetings from President Lee Jae Myung and reaffirmed Seoul’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation with Uganda.
Ambassador Lee pledged to strengthen collaboration in areas of mutual interest, building on decades of cordial relations between the two countries.
President Museveni reflected on Uganda’s long-standing relationship with both South Korea and North Korea, noting that Korean professionals have contributed to Uganda’s development since the 1960s.
“Koreans have been here since 1966. I remember when I was in secondary school, many Korean doctors came to Uganda. We are very happy with South Korea, and we have good relations with North Korea as well,” the President said.
With a smile, he wondered why the two Korean states had not reunited despite sharing a common history and culture.
Tanzania and Namibia reaffirm friendship
The President later received Tanzania’s High Commissioner-designate, Maj. Gen. Marco Elisha Gaguti, and Namibia’s High Commissioner-designate, Gabriel Pandureni Sinimbo.
The two diplomats pledged to strengthen the long-standing friendship and cooperation between their respective countries and Uganda.
President Museveni welcomed the envoys and assured them of Uganda’s full support during their diplomatic assignments.
He reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to international cooperation, peaceful diplomacy and expanding bilateral partnerships, particularly in trade.
The President said Uganda remains committed to working closely with friendly nations to advance shared development goals and promote regional stability.
The presentation of Letters of Credence is a diplomatic tradition through which ambassadors and high commissioners formally present official documents from their Heads of State authorising them to represent their countries in another sovereign state. The ceremony officially marks the beginning of their diplomatic assignments in the receiving country.
The meetings were attended by the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hajji Haruna Kasolo, senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government officials.
