Uganda, Somalia strengthen ties at Second Joint Permanent Commission meeting
During the meeting, both parties expressed satisfaction with the fraternal relations between the two nations and agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, free movement of people, and improving livelihoods.
The ministers concluded by agreeing that the third session of the JPC and investment and business forum will be held in 2027 in Mogadishu, Somalia. (Photos by John Odyeke)
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Uganda and Somalia have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations during the Second Session of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) held from 7th to 8th October, 2025, at Mestil Hotel, Kampala.
The Somali delegation was led by Farahsheikh Abdulkadir, the minister of education, while the Ugandan side was headed by John Mulimba, the state minister for foreign affairs in charge of regional cooperation.
The two ministers emphasised the importance of convening the JPC biennially, with senior officials tasked to hold midterm reviews annually to monitor progress on existing agreements and explore new areas of cooperation.
During the meeting, both parties expressed satisfaction with the fraternal relations between the two nations and agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, free movement of people, and improving livelihoods.
The session reviewed the implementation of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed during the first JPC, covering areas such as diplomatic consultations, defence cooperation, trade promotion, investment, and chambers of commerce collaboration.
New MoUs were signed on immigration management, education and sports cooperation, and security cooperation.
Senior officials were directed to finalise MoUs in additional areas, including health, standards and quality assurance, customs, refugee management, finance and banking, statistics, and climate change and environmental cooperation.
The ministers tasked aeronautical authorities to review the bilateral air service agreement and called for the prompt conclusion of consultations on a bilateral labour agreement.
Uganda offered to train Somali diplomats, sharing a curriculum during the meeting, while the Kampala Declaration on Trade, Investment, and Tourism from the first Investment and Business Summit was reviewed.
The Joint Permanent Investment and Business Council (JPIBC) was operationalised to address non-tariff barriers and harness trade, investment, and tourism opportunities between the two countries.
The ministers concluded by agreeing that the third session of the JPC and investment and business forum will be held in 2027 in Mogadishu, Somalia.