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KAMPALA - Transitional President of Gabon Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has expressed his wish to collaborate with the government of Uganda to promote value addition programme for the benefit of the people of the two sister nations.

The president made the remarks in the company of Gabon First Lady Zita Oligui, on August 1, 2024, while visiting and touring Fine Spinners Uganda Ltd factory, located at Spring Road, Kiswa Zone in Bugolobi, Kampala City.

Nguema and the First Lady were received at the facility by the chairperson of the Textile company, Jaswinder Bedi and his son who is also the chief executive officer of the factory, Sav Bedi.

Vice President Jesca Alupo chats with Gabon's President Brice Oligui Nguema at Entebbe Airport shortly before he departed the country after concluding a two-day official visit on Friday. (PPU Photo)

They were conducted on a guided tour of the production line that highlights the process of manufacturing right from spinning, weaving and knitting; culminating to the manufacturing of the final products such as T-shirts, all types of dresses for both children and women, men’s wear as well as uniforms for various entities, among others.

Fine Spinners Uganda Ltd are manufacturers of sustainable, traceable cotton textiles and garments from Ugandan high-quality cotton.

Nguema expressed his appreciation and gratitude on witnessing the success story of the campaign waged by his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni of championing value addition on raw materials.

He expressed his wish to collaborate with the government of Uganda to promote value addition programme for the benefit of the people of the two sister nations.

“I am very impressed by what we have seen in this factory. To transform a product from its initial form is very impressive indeed. I am very pleased and I wish to form partnership with the government of Uganda in adding value to our products,” he remarked at the end of the tour of the plant.

According to Bedi, the Bugolobi factory employs over 1,500 Ugandans who mainly receive their training on the job. Most of the products are exported to European, Asian and African countries.

Gabon's President Brice Oligui Nguema and his delegation inspect some of the military armoured vehicles being assembled at Nakasongola during his tour of the facilities on Friday. (PPU Photo)

The backbone of the economy of Gabon, a country with a population of over 2.4 million people, is largely agriculture, forestry, minerals, oil and tourism.

Luwero Industries tour

On Friday afternoon, Nguema also in the company of his wife, embarked on another tour at Luwero Industries Complex.

They were hosted by National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) managing director Lt. Gen. James Mugira and the General Manager of Luwero Industries, Maj. Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi.
The guests toured the Pro-Heli International Services Ltd whose operations are repair, maintenance, overhaul and upgrade of helicopters.

President Nguema was later taken to the armoured vehicle manufacturing plant where they viewed armoured vehicles and boats.

Earlier on arrival, Nguema made a few remarks at the Pro-Heli International Services Limited, where he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, the Government and the people of Uganda for the warm welcome extended to him, the First Lady as well as other members of the delegation.

President Nguema described his visit as a fruitful one after his interaction with his host President Yoweri Museveni on a wide range of issues pertaining to mutual interests of Gabon and Uganda.

Gabon's President Brice Oligui Nguema and his delegation inspect some of the military armoured vehicles being assembled at Nakasongola during his tour of the facilities on Friday. (PPU Photo)

He, however, reiterated his call for the deepening of close co-operation and collaboration between the two countries in areas of health, agriculture, military and many other fields.

Mugira told the guests that the corporation is a commercial and business arm of the defence ministry. He said the aim was to foster self-reliance and build the local capacity to exploit the natural resources for the strategic security of the black race.

“For the strategic security of the black race and the spirit of Pan-Africanism as brothers and sisters, there is a need to explore the abundant opportunities in order to co-operate and collaborate in the defence sector including supporting the growth and development of each other's defence Industries,” he stressed.

President Nguema described his visit as a fruitful one after his interaction with his host President Yoweri Museveni on a wide range of issues pertaining to mutual interests of Gabon and Uganda. (PPU Photo)

Mugira, therefore, is strongly rooted in the ending of defence dependency syndrome from the outside world but to bolster the local capacity by manufacturing defence equipment within African nations to guarantee their sovereignty and true Independence.

Sabiiti briefed the guests on the activities and operations of the Industry whose spectrum covers not only military areas but also civilian sectors.

Nguema was also accompanied by members of his delegation, Ugandan government officials who included the defence minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth and lands minister Judith Nabakooba.

After the tour, President Nguema and his delegation left for Gabon.

At Entebbe International Airport, the President was seen off by Uganda Vice-President Jessica Alupo, foreign affairs minister Gen. Jeje Odongo, Oboth Oboth, Nabakooba, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding and Uganda’s envoy to Gabon Matata Twaha.