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President Yoweri Museveni has said that Serbia and Uganda should continue their struggle for progress and an even better future for their citizens. 

Museveni made the remarks during a meeting with Dr Vladimir Orlić, the president of Serbia’s National Assembly, where he recalled the important moments of the common history of the two countries and their common struggle for freedom and independence. 

“Marshal Tito (former president of Yugoslavia) supported the anti-colonial struggle in Africa and, although a socialist, refused to be part of the Soviet-Sino quarrels of that time. We appreciated him so much and when he died a delegation of the Post-Amin Government, of which I was part, came to take part in the funeral. I think it was led by Professor Nabudere,” President Museveni said. 

He also told Orlić that Uganda as a country has succeeded in some sectors of the economy and now they are determined to cover the whole spectrum starting with coffee. 

“We want the fair-minded outsiders to work with us to add value to our coffee at the source so that instead of getting only $2.5 per kg of good coffee, we share more out of the $40 per kg of the processed coffee,” Museveni said. 

Serbia Parliament legislators with Ugandan delegates. (PPU Photos)

“This is where the Serbians and other fair-minded people, should join us by doing two things: Co-invest with us or invest alone in coffee roasting, grinding and packaging in Uganda and the Serbian Government should remove the 25% tax on processed coffee and so should the other Governments of Europe, Asia and the USA.  

“The Africans, in the last 600 years, have done a lot to support the prosperity of others as slave-labourers, as raw-materials producers in the colonial and neo-colonial eras and also with our purchasing power (our pockets) buying products from the USA, Europe, Japan, China, etc. It is high time, the pockets or wallets of USA, Europe, China, Japan, etc., also support our prosperity,” he said. 

Museveni reiterated during the meeting that Uganda firmly stands behind the decision not to recognise the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, for which Orlić thanked him. 

Orlić welcomed Museveni’s visit as that of a great friend of Serbia, assessing it as significant for the further improvement of bilateral relations, which this year marks six decades of establishment. 

Museveni reiterated during the meeting that Uganda firmly stands behind the decision not to recognise the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, for which Orlić thanked him.

He also disclosed that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, was working around the clock to ensure peace and stability in the country despite the existing Kosovo threat. 

Orlić further expressed his gratitude to Uganda for supporting Serbia’s candidacy as the host of Expo 2027, as well as the satisfaction of the opening of Uganda Trade Hub also known as Uganda Connect, in Belgrade. 

He also noted that Serbia will send a team of scientists to Uganda to identify the possible areas of cooperation between the two countries. 

“Serbia remains truly committed to the further development of relations and cooperation with all African countries, which includes Uganda to which we are bound by traditional closeness, mutual understanding and the same aspirations,” he said. 

The meeting was also attended by Dragan Županjevac, ambassador of Serbia to Uganda, the president of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Uganda Sanja Lakić, as well as MPs. 

The Ugandan delegation included among others science minister Monica Musenero, foreign affairs state minister Henry Okello Oryem, trade state minister Harriet Ntabazi, state agriculture minister Bright Rwamirama, senior presidential advisor Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Elizabeth Paula Napejok, Uganda’s Ambassador to Serbia. 

The occasion marked President Museveni’s final official meeting of his visit to Serbia as he concludes his European tour on Monday.