Cuba asks Uganda to open embassy in Havana

PIC:Salvador Valdez Mesa(L), Vice President of the Republic of Cuba with Edward Ssekandi the Vice President of Uganda after a meeting at the latter's office in Kampala on October 5, 2016. Photo by Roderick Ahimbazwe

Cuba Vice-President, Salvador Valdes Mesa who is on a two-day state visit to Uganda has asked Kampala to open up an embassy in the country's capital, Havana.

Salvado told his counterpart the vice-president of Uganda, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi that following the improved relations between the US Cuba; many African countries are scrambling to open up embassies in Havana.

Some of the African countries which he said have opened up embassies in Havana are Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Seychelles.

Salvado said that opening up an embassy in Havana would help tighten relations between the two countries. He made the remarks while meeting Ssekandi at his offices in Kampala on Wednesday.  

The Cuban VP also praised Uganda for always standing with his country's draft resolution; calling for an end to the US blockade which the country says is contrary to the international law.

In 1962 after the Soviet Union placed nuclear weapons in Cuba, the US established a blockade around the Island to prevent any other offensive weapons from entering the country.

Salvador Valdez Mesa(L) Vice President of the Republic of Cuba with Edward Ssekandi the Vice President of Uganda after a meeting at the latter's office in Kampala on Wednesday 5 October 2016.

Ssekandi assured his guest that Uganda will always stand with Cuba in the UN and Uganda is proud to deal with a partner who doesn't change colours depending on situations.

Salvador, who is in Africa to revamp his country's relationship with old allies and establish new ties also met President Yoweri Museveni today after interacting with Ssekandi.

He was expected to deliver a message from Cuban President, Raul Castro to President Museveni.  Salvador came to Uganda after visiting Zimbabwe and from Uganda he will tour three other African countries including Botswana, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Cuba-Uganda relations
In 2014, Uganda and Cuba marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

According to Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the friendship between the two countries has stood the test of time in the last 42 years.

The Ministry says the two countries have supported each other at international fora through the Non Allied Movement, G77 and at the UN to defend and protect their strategic political and economic interests.