Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in Uganda

By Vision Reporter

Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, is in Uganda on a two-day official visit. Abbas, who is accompanied by several ministers and other senior government officials, arrived in Uganda Friday night. 

He last visited Uganda in 2010 for the African Union (AU) summit in Kampala.  Abbas is the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the President of the Palestine National Authority. He succeeded the late Yasser Arafat who died in 2004.

Uganda and Palestine enjoy strong and historical political relations and both countries are members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) based in Saudi Arabia.

Abbas with Government officials at the VIP Lounge at Entebbe International Airport.  

Uganda recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and the PLO had offices in Kampala until 1990. Along with some 182 other countries in the world, Uganda recognizes the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

Uganda has consistently called upon Israeli and Palestine to resume negotiations and reach a lasting peaceful settlement of their conflict based on the two-state solution where the State of Israel and the State of Palestine exist side by side in peace and security. 

Abbas is expected to hold talks with President Yoweri Museveni on regional, Middle East and international issues.

Security Minister, Muruli Mukasa, State Minister for Regional Affairs, Asumani Kiyingi, the head of Civil Service, Mr. John Mitala and the Commander of Air Force, General Jim Ow’oyesigire received Abbas at Entebbe International Airport.